Happiness at Sebastian Tounekti’s first club after Celtic move

The Tunisian international joined Brendan Rodgers’ side from Swedish outfit Hammarby for £5.2 million on deadline day last week, agreeing to a five-year contract with the Scottish champions.

Born and raised in Norway, Tounekti progressed through Tromsdalen’s academy and made his competitive debut for the club in 2018, prompting managing director Thomas Heide to express his excitement over the winger’s move to Glasgow.

Speaking via the Celtic Insider’s favourite newspaper  The Scottish Sun, Heide said: “This is the perfect move for Sebastian in so many ways. Personally, I love Glasgow. It’s one of my favourite cities in Europe and I have been many times.

“I know a really good curry house in the city centre and I look forward to returning there after watching Sebastian play for Celtic.”

“For Tromsdalen, the transfer is also a help because we are due a payment through the FIFA rules,” Heide added. “I don’t know how much that will be, but every bit of finance helps, and we will welcome it.

“It could take a couple of years to arrive because it has to be worked out and routed through FIFA, but we know it is in the post. However, my real happiness for the move comes for Sebastian himself, and everyone at the club is proud to see him progress and join a massive worldwide name like Celtic.”

Following his first season as a senior professional, Tounekti joined Bodo/Glimt and had a loan spell at Groningen in the Eredivisie. Unable to establish himself at either club, he later moved to Haugesund before signing with Hammarby earlier this year.

Tounekti could make his first start for Celtic this weekend when Rodgers’ men take the short trip to Rugby Park to face Kilmarnock.

Conor Spence

More from Conor Spence on Sebastian Tounekti’s move to Celtic on the next page…