MARIAN SHVED is on the brink of joining the summer exodus at Celtic and agree a permanent deal with KV Mechelen.
Kristoffer Ajer (Brentford), Vakoun Issouf Bayo (KAA Gent) and Jack Hendry (Oostende) have already gone through the Parkhead exit in recent weeks while Patryk Klimala quit for New York Red Bulls in April. The Ukrainian international winger looks like being the next to move.
Shved, who arrived at Parkhead in January 2019 in a £2million switch, failed to settle in Scotland and spent last season on loan with the Belgian club.
They are hoping to finally get the move over the line with the Celtic hierarchy to land the 22-year-old misfit who is already in the country as he awaits the green light on the deal.
WALLOP…Marian Shved thumps in his only Celtic goal on his debut.
It’s the perfect scenario for the player who still has two years to run on his Hoops contract. Brendan Rodgers did not greet his arrival from Ukrainian club Karpaty Lviv with any great enthusiasm and made it clear he had not bought him. The Irishman agreed to loan him back to his former team for the remainder of the campaign.
Shved made only three appearances under Neil Lennon – scoring a memorable volley on his debut as a late substitute in a 2-0 win over Nomme Kalju in Estonia in a Champions League qualifier – but then disappeared into the shadows.
Mechelen sports director Tom Caluwe, speaking to the Scottish Sun, admitted: “There is no need for this to be kept a secret. We want Marian to sign and we are trying to reach an agreement as soon as possible.
“We really need a player with his profile.
“The talks are going in the right direction and, of course, you have to be careful because nothing is agreed upon until the transfer is actually completed.
UP FOR THE CUP…Marian Shved makes a rare appearance against Clyde in a Scottish Cup-tie in January 2020.
“But we are extremely hopeful he will sign very soon.”
Shved scored four times for the Belgians last season in 22 appearances.
He went on record recently, stating: “I want to stay in Mechelen. I was never given a chance at Celtic. I got the opportunity here that I didn’t get at Celtic.
“I am really pleased with how last season went because I had a lot of game time and that helped me build my confidence.
“At first when I arrived here, I didn’t adapt to either my new club or Belgian football. But I got stronger both mentally and physically and I have been happy with my form.
“So, I want to stay at Mechelen because I know here I have the manager’s trust.
“And no footballer can play without trust.”
