Celtic Sanction Exit for Norwegian Midfielder
Joacim Jonsson hails the return of a "healthy" Odin as Celtic sanction a loan-to-permanent deal for midfielder.
The Odin Thiago Holm project at Celtic Park has officially reached its conclusion, with the Norwegian midfielder returning to his former club, Vålerenga, in a deal that signals a permanent end to his underwhelming stint in Glasgow.
The 23-year-old joins the Oslo side on an initial loan until the end of the Norwegian season. Crucially, the move includes a pre-arranged permanent contract that effectively terminates his ties with the Hoops.
Signed with a reputation as one of Scandinavia’s brightest technical prospects, Holm’s time in the East End of Glasgow was defined more by his time spent on the treatment table than minutes on the pitch. A recent loan spell with MLS outfit Los Angeles FC was supposed to provide much-needed minutes, but instead, it became a microcosm of his Celtic career, flashes of potential buried under a mountain of injury and fitness issues.
Vålerenga boss Joacim Jonsson was candid about the gamble the Norwegian club is taking on their former star: “He has had a few troubled years with injuries, but has been completely healthy since January. We all know what qualities a healthy Odin Thiago Holm has. I think this is an excellent solution for all parties.”
The midfielder admitted that the pressure and the physical toll of the last two years had taken their distributive share. Holm commented: “It feels really good to be in place. The last couple of years have been tough, and there have been a lot of things that have been out of my control. I know the people here and they know me and my body. I felt it was very right to come back here and try to get a re-start.”