23/10/16 BETFRED CUP SEMI-FINAL RANGERS v CELTIC (0-1) HAMPDEN - GLASGOW Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers
Israel international Liel Abada departs Celtic to sign with MLS club Charlotte FC in a transfer deal worth £10 million.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers expressed profound sadness over Liel Abada’s departure, characterizing it as the best decision for both parties following the Israel international’s move to Major League Soccer side Charlotte FC.
Abada’s last appearance for Celtic was in a 2-1 victory against Hibernian on February 7, after which Rodgers felt he was unable to perform at his peak level. The 22-year-old faced significant pressure in his homeland amidst support from Celtic fans for the Palestinian cause, with an international teammate publicly advising him to seek opportunities elsewhere.
Rodgers lamented the missed opportunity to continue working with Abada, who scored 29 goals in 112 appearances for Celtic. Abada had signed a new four-year contract in September the previous year, prior to suffering a thigh injury that sidelined him for nearly four months.
“Firstly, it’s desperately sad, the whole situation,” Rodgers commented. “A fantastic young player, came here as a 19-year-old, to another country and lit up the field with so many fantastic goals and had a really successful period. Whatever doubts he had in the summer, he was really happy to commit and sign a new deal.”
