CELTIC defender Liam Bonetig has joined Melbourne City – after just two seasons at Parkhead.
The 20-year-old centre-back has left the Premiership champions for the A-League title winners on a three-year deal.
Bonetig never made a Hoops first-team appearance, but gained valuable experience in the B team and UEFA Youth League.
The promising youngster originally arrived in Scotland from Western Sydney on September 15 2023 after impressing during trials and his former Aussie side received a transfer sum in training compensation for the prospect who had been at the club since 2016.
WELCOME BACK…how Melbourne City announced the arrival of Liam Bonetig.
At the time, Bonetig, speaking in a CQN report, admitted: “It’s an amazing feeling to have signed. It’s such a huge club and I couldn’t believe it when Celtic were interested. So I am just glad to get it done.
“Since I have been here, the coaches and players have been great to me. They have been really welcoming and made my time very easy at the moment.”
After completing the formalities to seal his comeback, Bonetig told the club website: “It’s a really exciting moment for me to return to Australia and to be able to join the reigning champions makes it even more special.
“I’ve learnt a lot in Scotland over the past two years and I’m hungry to keep improving. There’s no better environment to do that in Australia than at City.
“I can’t wait to get started and do everything I can to help the team have another big season and win more trophies for the City fans.”
HOOP HOOP HOORAY…Marco Tilio is all smiles as he joins Celtic in the summer of 2023.
Coincidentally, Bonetig’s compatriot Marco Tilio joined the Hoops from Melbourne City in a £2million switch around the same time.
Unfortunately, the 23-year-old international forward has played only 28 first-team minutes and spent last season on loan at Melbourne City.
The winger still has three years to run on his Celtic contract, but it increasingly looks as though there is no future at Parkhead for the player who was blighted by injury just as the original deal was struck.
