MICHEL-ANGE BALIKWISHA has left Celtic – just a year after arriving in a £4.5million deal from Royal Antwerp.
The DR Congo international winger has made only four starts in his 14 sporadic substitute appearances for the champions and Gent have brought an end to his unhappy spell at the champions.
Balikwisha will return to Belgium in a season-long loan with the club holding an option to buy the flanker whose last league appearance for the Hoops came in the 4-0 home win over Falkirk in October last year at the start of Martin O’Neill’s first stint as interim manager.
The 25-year-old left-sided raider was involved in the pre-season friendlies, but has yet to kick a ball in competitive action this time around.
THUMB’S UP…Michel-Ange Balikwisha in a rare Celtic appearance.
Celtic have now reached an agreement to allow Balikwisha to move on, according to a report in Belgian sports outlet Nieuwsblad.
Gent qualified for the Conference League after their dramatic late win over Hibs at Easter Road on Thursday and are keen to strengthen their squad for the next stages.
Despite his frustrating season at Parkhead, Balikwisha remains highly rated in Belgium following his spells at Antwerp and Standard Liege.
The forward made his Celtic debut in the goalless derby at Ibrox on August 31 last year, just days after his arrival.
Balikwisha failed to mark the occasion and was replaced by James Forrest in the 65th minute.
*DON’T miss the unbeatable match report from Celtic v Falkirk this afternoon – only in your champion CQN.
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