Bersant Celina, who is set to join the Blues on a season-long loan this week, is determined to ultimately forge a Premier League career with his parent club Manchester City even if he knows it will be a tough task.

The 20-year-old Kosovo international is expected at Portman Road to complete his move to Town in the next few days in time to join the squad for next week’s training camp at the Carton House Hotel in Co Kildare, Ireland.

“Of course, when you see the club spend millions on new players it is difficult to accept,” the winger told the Daily Mail.

“But Manchester City is a big club and they want to sign the best players around the world.

“My ultimate ambition is to have a career at City. I want to play in Premier League for City. Even if the club decided to sell me, I will fight for them to buy me back. That's what I want.”

Prizren-born Celina, who is contracted to Manchester City until 2020, grew up in Norway and was with Strømsgodset as schoolboy before joining City at 15.

So far he has made one Premier League sub appearance in addition to two starts and one game from the bench in the FA Cup.

Town fought off opposition from Bolton, Leeds, QPR, FC Twente, where he was on loan last season, and other clubs in Holland and Belgium to land Celina for the campaign ahead.

Speaking on Monday, manager Mick McCarthy challenged Celina to emulate Ryan Fraser and Tom Lawrence’s impressive loan spells at Portman Road during the last two seasons.

Photo: Action Images

ScottCandage added 21:57 - Jun 28 I would expect to hear nothing but from the lad. He's determined. I like that.
7

WicklowBlue added 22:00 - Jun 28 Can't wait for us to seal this deal. Despite the various criticisms of MM we can't deny the loan deals of Fraser and Lawrence have improved us. Looking forward to seeing what Celina will bring to us.
9

woohoo added 08:23 - Jun 29 Good. Of course City will monitor him at Town, so he'll want to excel here. (Given the opportunity, of course)
1

woohoo added 08:23 - Jun 29 Good. Of course City will monitor him at Town, so he'll want to excel here. (Given the opportunity, of course)
1

Marcus added 08:43 - Jun 29 If we have a season of a player good enough to play at a top Premier League team, who's complaining? While it's been a slow summer nobody has complained about any of the additions, just questioned if they're enough. I just hope we can start positively and Mick can win over the doubters (including myself).
1

TimmyH added 11:00 - Jun 29 My reservations about him are that he hasn't played in the Championship before unlike Fraser and Lawrence and has played for Twente last season (a total different style of football) - whether he can endure the physicality of this league will be remain to be seen but no doubt has some quality about him though.
2

PortmanTerrorist added 12:54 - Jun 29 Sounds like a good character which we need more of. i.e. winners. Too many players last season gave the impression losing was not so bad. If all 11, every game, give 100% then we have a chance of real progress. MMs commenting through the season that he was getting 100% from his teams were ludicrous.
2

fussysnake added 14:10 - Jun 29 Who knows... win the play offs and he might think about staying?;) wishful thinking I know
1

sereneblue added 15:02 - Jun 29 McCarthy will soon knock that positive attitude out of him!
1

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls