STEPHEN WELSH has quit Celtic – a year before his contract is due to expire.
The central defender spent the first half of the season at Motherwell before returning to the champions in January.
Welsh made his only Hoops appearance in the 2-0 Scottish Cup Fourth Round win over Auchinleck Talbot at Rugby Park before returning to Fir Park to resume his temporary switch.
He was due back at Celtic, but his deal has been brought to a premature conclusion.
DIDN’T HE DO WELL…Stephen Welsh celebrates Motherwell’s 3-2 win at Ibrox in April.
The news was announced by Sky Sports on X with reporter Anthony Jospeh stating: “Celtic and Stephen Welsh have mutually agreed to part ways this summer.
“He’s been allowed to terminate his contract a year early – a goodwill gesture for his services and helping Motherwell take points off Celtic’s title rivals last season.
“Clubs in France and Poland interested.”
It would be a surprise if new Toulouse head coach Jens Berthel Askou, the manager who took Welsh to Well, didn’t make another move for a player he rates so highly.
Twenty-six-year-old Welsh spent the second half of the previous season on loan at Belgian outfit KV Mechelen.
The versatile back-four performer was just one of many players who had a quastion mark over his Celtic future, as CQN reported yesterday.
Maik Nawrocki (Hannover 96), Johnny Kenny (Bolton) and Luis Palma (Lech Poznan) are among others who have been on loan and due to return in the summer.
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