TWTD understands that Town are close to confirming the return of Bersant Celina on loan.

TWTD revealed at the start of July that the Blues were targeting the former loanee, who is currently with French second division side Dijon, having moved there from Swansea in September last year.

Town had held protracted talks with the forward, who previously spent 2017/18 on loan at Portman Road from Manchester City, scoring eight times in 26 starts and 12 sub appearances, while a number of other clubs, understood to include Championship Hull City and Coventry City, as well as sides in the Dutch top flight, were also keen.

The chances of the move happening looked over when Celina developed the heart infection pericarditis in late July having contracted Covid a month earlier.

However, a fortnight ago his cardiologist gave the 24-year-old the all-clear to return to training in a few weeks’ time.

We understand the deal, Town’s 17th signing of the summer, is expected to be completed as soon as today with the transfer window set to close at 11pm tomorrow.

The Blues were initially looking at doing a permanent deal but ultimately a loan switch for the season has been agreed.

Kosovo-born Celina moved to Norway with his family aged two and was a youth player with Strømsgodset before joining Manchester City’s academy in 2012.

In 2016/17 he spent time with FC Twente in the Netherlands on loan, then moved to Town on the same basis the following season.

Celina left City for Swansea in the summer of 2018 for £3 million - having made one senior start and three sub appearances for the Citizens - and went on to make 65 starts and 14 sub appearances for the Swans, scoring 10 times, before being sold to Dijon for a reported £2.7 million in September 2020, signing a four-year contract.

During 2020/21, 5ft 11in tall Celina made 26 starts and seven sub appearances in all competitions for Dijon without finding the net as Les Hiboux were relegated from Ligue 1 having finished bottom.

Capped by Norway at U16, U17 and U21 levels, Celina subsequently switched allegiance to Kosovo for whom he has played U21 and senior games. He has now taken his full caps total to 29, scoring twice.

Photo: Matchday Images

bluelodgeblue added 10:01 - Aug 30 As a kid I often used to watch the Wizard of Oz and wonder how someone could talk if they didn't have a brain? Then I discovered social media and am pleased to say that all the evidence needed can be found with some of the comments on this site?
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ChrisFelix added 10:11 - Aug 30 No good keep bringing in attacking players if we continue to concede 'charity' goals.
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BlueInBerks added 10:11 - Aug 30 For those who are baffled by the number of signings and the wage bill, you need to take on the vision of the owners. They are not short term thinkers with only League 1 on their minds, they are putting together a squad to challenge in the Championship. And yes, Sam Morsey please.
2

martyitfc added 10:11 - Aug 30 He was AMAZING last time around and I for one cannot wait to see him tear up this league.... even if it is only on load. Just hope he's fit enough to play when needed. 🎶 de de de de de de DE CELINA 🎶. 😍
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bluewarrior added 10:12 - Aug 30 Wickwar - how can you even compare this with Mick or Hurst? I had the highest respect for Mick Mac - he got a tune out of some pretty average players but the football was never going to be pretty at the best of times, let alone with the ability level that he had at his disposal but you have to give him huge respect for many of the players he brought in on a very limited budget who went onto better things. As for Hurst, I think a lot of us gave him credit for bringing in hungrier players than he inherited but to do that he had to lose the better of what he had and how many did he bring in? Five? Cook has had to undertake a massive rebuild - almost top to bottom. I didn't know much about hardly any of those that he's brought in but I struggle to criticise the credentials of any. Added to which the football is exciting to watch and even the most blinkered must see that there is a nucleus of a team there - a very good team in fact. But good grief to start losing the plot after five games is utterly ridiculous! PS to factor in his record last season with that bunch of no hopers is crazy. It still makes me laugh how some fans tried to defend Chambers and co long after the sell by date - yes he pumped his fist and roared - shame he didn't roar a bit more in his captaincy on the field - but as a player 😂

3

Len_Brennan added 10:13 - Aug 30 @buzbyblue Martin587 has already pointed out what 99% of the other posters on here could easily extrapolate from the signings we have made, where they've come from, comments made by rival managers who couldn't compete with the terms we're offering & even players themselves, such as Jacobs & Morrell confirming that the wages here were dwarfing even what a big, well supported club like Portsmouth could offer. Don't even need a foundation level qualification to work that out. I see you also went down the road of calling those who express a different opinion to yourself as "so called fans". That's very helpful.

3

90z added 10:15 - Aug 30 If this means Dobra is loaned out for game time im all for it. Celina will be good at this level!
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timkatieadamitfc added 10:21 - Aug 30 Can't believe some people moaning on here, if Cook hadn't signed another keeper( on paper looks a great signing ) guess what - they'd have moaned about not signing anyone, Celina signing IF it happens is fantastic. Also don't care if players signed are already being replaced as that shows, A/ they are not up to it B/ Cook has bollox and admitting he has got it wrong Can't believe people are moaning for us trying to essentially sign what are better players and improve, you couldn't make it up, some need to get a grip. Walton, Morsy, and Celina look like three great additions to me if we get them

7

TimmyH added 10:23 - Aug 30 Wow! the new owners don't hang around with the signings and with the new GK Walton about to sign...if he only we were as quick with getting a win in the bag! :)
1

martin587 added 10:25 - Aug 30 Len I've been a season ticket holder for almost 60 years and go to most away matches so irrelevant comments from those posters go over my head.
0

JaySwitch added 10:29 - Aug 30 TWTD UNDERSTANDS = Phil read it in the newspaper! 🤦‍♂️🤣
-4

threescousers added 10:31 - Aug 30 nearly every other club is envious of our 21st position in the league
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bluewarrior added 10:35 - Aug 30 Why is anyone in the slightest bit worried about the amount we are paying in wages? Fact is that better players and higher wages go hand in hand and at the end of every season the league standings are pretty much defined by the highest spending clubs finishing in the top spaces. If I were Cook and Ashton and I had a big budget to play with, I'd be using it to the max!

3

threescousers added 10:35 - Aug 30 Well done cook and all you happy clapping"gell'ers". We're stuck in this division for another season.
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thatsbonkers added 10:37 - Aug 30 Not all signings will definitely bring something to the team, that's just a reality. We may need to loan out a few or even bin a few, but the endeavour to sign better, play better and achieve more is so positive - no real fan can possibly knock this approach.
3

BlueRuin69 added 10:39 - Aug 30 Fantastic news. Itfc have a great future ahead and all true fans should be over the moon. Even if we dont achieve promotion this year the new owners are true to their word and are backing the club to the hilt. No way we sign these kind of players at league one level under Evans. Coyb. Brilliant!
2

BlueRuin69 added 10:42 - Aug 30 And those worrying about needing goalie and Cm, we will get these as well and so what if we already have Edwards, when he tires on 65mins on comes Celina. When Celina gets injured on comes Edwards. Huge upgraded squad on last year, like night and day. Coyb
8

MickMillsTash added 10:47 - Aug 30 Which of these first team players, many of whom have dropped down a level will be happy to sit on the sidelines without disrupting the place? It will take some good man management.
1

threescousers added 10:47 - Aug 30 and then we let in two more soft goals
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threescousers added 10:49 - Aug 30 and we were beating teams we've already played this season with a crap mananger and a crap squad
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threescousers added 10:53 - Aug 30 how not to "gell" a team? replacing the replacements after every bad result
-8

chepstowblue added 10:54 - Aug 30 It's all getting mightily confused. All I wanted for this season was to replace last seasons dross and dead wood with players of better quality, and to keep a settled eleven. Cook now appears to be replacing the replacements, suggesting more the 'kid in the candy shop' routine as opposed to having a plan. While his appointment didnt enthuse me, I'm not gonna shout for his dismissal,as like everyone else I want success this season. With the level of recruitment seen, only promotion would warrant him being here next season. I like Celina, but should we need him after what's gone before...no we shouldn't. To have brought in 16 players, and to be sitting 21st suggests a bigger problem. I hope someone's keeping an eye on the kitty, or -12 could be the starting point next season. These things happen.

1

GiveusaWave added 11:00 - Aug 30 Very good signing and hope it happens....however, think Morsy is an even more important signing for the club.
2

jas0999 added 11:00 - Aug 30 Celina would clearly be a great addition to the squad providing he is fully fit. The issue for me is this will be yet another loan. Every team needs two or three loans to supplement the squad. We already have that. Bonne and Coulsen have added quality. Five loans is baffling. If all were to start, nearly half the starting eleven would be other teams players - not sure how that helps with building a starting eleven for not only this season but next. Multiple loans hasn't worked in the past. Two or so quality additions (Frazer, Lawrence, Dos Santos) does.

3

Europablue added 11:05 - Aug 30 jas0999 I agree with your sentiment, but within those loans, you have a fairly healthy mix of players likely to join us permanently next year, especially if we somehow manage to get promoted this season. For the good loan signings you mentioned, unless those players get you promoted or stop you from getting relegated, they are largely worthless additions.
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