Celina Set to Join Stoke - Ipswich Town News
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.
What to read next:
Hallgrimsson: No Reason to Doubt Szmodics's CommitmentRepublic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson says he has no doubts regarding Blues forward Sammie Szmodics’s commitment to the Boys in Green, despite press and social media criticism after the 30-year-old was forced out of the squad for a third time this year ahead of the October internationals.
McKenna: Mixed Start, But Table Will Change a LotBlues manager Kieran McKenna admits he would have liked his side to have had more points at this stage, with the season going into its third international break following Saturday’s trip to Swansea, but isn’t taking too much notice of a Championship table which he believes will change a lot over the weeks and months to come.
McKenna: Disappointed to Lose BurgessBlues manager Kieran McKenna admits he was disappointed to lose centre-half Cameron Burgess in the summer, the Australian international having left Portman Road after four very successful years to join Saturday’s opponents Swansea City.
McKenna: Matusiwa-Philogene Spat Put to BedBlues boss Kieran McKenna says the on-pitch argument between Azor Matusiwa and Jaden Philogene during the second half of Tuesday’s 1-1 home draw with Watford has been “put to bed” and has praised the start the Dutchman has made to his Town career.