FORMER Celtic goal hero Odsonne Edouard will celebrate his 27th birthday on Friday with his football future far from certain.
The former fans’ favourite, who was the Hoops’ record buy at £9million when Brendan Rodgers signed him on a permanent deal from Paris Saint-Germain in June 2018, is at the centre of a mystifying situation.
Crystal Palace, who signed him from the champions in a £15.5million move in August 2021, allowed him to go on a season-long loan to Leicester City in the summer.
Things, though, have not gone according to plan for the French striker and he has yet to score a goal for the Midlands side in only six league appearances.
HAPPIY DAZE…Odsonne Edouard races away in triumph after scoring in Celtic’s 5-0 title romp against Rangers at Parkhead in April 2018. Dedryck Boyata is about to join in the celebrations.
Even worse, Edouard has yet to kick a ball in the first team since the arrival of new manager Ruud van Nistelrooy last November.
The Dutchman is eager to cut the temporary transfer short and return the frontman to the London club.
That will create a problem for Palace head coach Oliver Glasner has already gone on record as insisting the ex-Celt is not in his first-team plans.
The Selhurst Park gaffer, as reported by CQN last month, admitted bluntly: “It makes no sense to bring him back because if he’s not playing at Leicester, then why should he play for Crystal Palace?”
MLS side Atlanta United, who signed Giorgos Giakoumakis from the Parkhead club in February 2023, have been linked with the former French Under-21 international star.
LONDON CALLING…Odsonne Edouard is all smiles after his £15.5million move to Crystal Palace in the summer of 2021. The switch, alas, has turned sour for the Frenchman.
However, that presents another snag for Edouard.
FIFA rules state that no player can turn out for more than two clubs in one season which would pitch Edouard into soccer limbo. The only way through the red tape would be if the bosses ignore his appearances for Palace and Leicester City and look at the switch occurring in a new season.
The elegant attack-leader played a handful of games for new Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou before being lured to London, at that stage managed by his fellow-countryman Patrick Vieira.
He netted 86 goals for the Hoops, including three for the incoming Greek-Australian team chief before leaving on the last day of the summer transfer window.
Now Edouard faces a career dilemma with Atlanta due to kick off the MLS season with a home game against Montreal on February 23.
Unless someone can find a loophole in the rules of world soccer’s governing body, there is no likelihood of the ex-Celt being involved.