Former Blues loanee Bersant Celina is set to join Championship Stoke City on loan from parent club Dijon having been recalled from his spell at Turkish Süper Lig side Kasımpaşa.

TWTD revealed in July that the 26-year-old was close to joining the Potters until the switch was scuppered due to work permit issues which meant he could have his stay with Town extended into another season but not join any other English club.

The Blues had been in talks with Celina regarding his return to Portman Road for much of the summer with the player understood to be keen on a return but with no agreement on terms ever reached.

Ultimately, having initially pulled out of the move after travelling to Istanbul, the Kosovo international joined Kasımpaşa on what was expected to be a season-long loan.

However, after making 13 starts and six sub appearances, scoring once, the spell is to be cut short and Celina will now join Stoke for the remainder of the campaign. The Süper Lig is ranked high enough and Celina has played enough games to qualify for a work permit.

Fans' favourite Celina spent last season on loan at Town, scoring six times in 24 starts and 11 sub appearances, having previously been with the Blues during 2017/18 while a Manchester City player.

Photo: Matchday Images

micky_1560 added 09:48 - Jan 25 Hopefully with the signing of Broadhead we won't rue the decision to sign Celina. He was a bit hot and cold when he last played for us, but I do feel we have missed his direct running and the ability to open up a defence with a splitting pass.
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SamWhiteUK added 09:56 - Jan 25 Starting to look more and more to me like he didn't want to play in League 1! Would rather go to Turkey and play in front of 3 men and 2 dogs until he's played enough games to get the move to Stoke he wanted
4

PortmanTerrorist added 10:18 - Jan 25 All the talk last season was the he would tear League 1 up. Love the guy, but that just did not happen, just flashes of what we know he can do. Probably do better in a better league. So this is head over heart, but a little relieved with the consolation that we have the likes of Broadhead signed on a permanent, and just have to hope that last night's performance is a sign of what is to come, as I believe he will very quickly become every bit a fan's favourite as Celina was if he does. Good luck Bersant, hope you find you best form again, and then maybe (with us in Championship) we can have another chat.

3

RobITFC added 10:19 - Jan 25 I'd rather have Broadhead, a young exciting prospect eager to learn from KMc and his coaches.
15

Europablue added 11:05 - Jan 25 Ceilna is very much a luxury player. So thanks for the memories, and good luck elsewhere.
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Jugsy added 11:12 - Jan 25 Agree with all these posts. Moments of brilliance, often absent, certainly not in the mould we need for getting out of League One. I know it was only Morecombe last night but there were some exceptional performances amongst that group. Welcome Broadhead and Clarke!
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Wickets added 11:42 - Jan 25 Broadhead is our player not a loan .
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TimmyH added 12:21 - Jan 25 Don't need him...got quality as we've seen but goes missing when we don't have the ball.
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Garv added 12:44 - Jan 25 He didn't tear up the league, but we've missed him more than some people realise. Broadhead signing (and on a permanent) should soften the blow, however.
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ThaiBlue added 13:09 - Jan 25 Who cares when we go up and stoke go down
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BobbyBell added 13:27 - Jan 25 Don't forget we also have Aluko who on his day so we're not short in that area.
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Cloddyseedbed added 17:46 - Jan 25 One of many gifted players who has never reached his expected potential. We need consistent performers who give their all for the team and want to go onto achieve great things. Celina never wanted to go just that bit further for the cause. He needs to buck his ideas up, he has achieved nothing for a player of his age.
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Linkboy13 added 19:14 - Jan 25 The fact that he's so much of a luxury is probably why he can't get a permanent deal anywhere.
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