Championship Stoke City have confirmed the loan signing of former Blues loanee Bersant Celina, the Dijon forward’s spell with Turkish Süper Lig side Kasımpaşa having been cut short.

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 keen on a return but with no agreement on terms 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 has been curtailed and Celina has joined Stoke for the remainder of the campaign. The Süper Lig is ranked high enough and Celina played enough games to qualify for a work permit.

Potters manager Alex Neil told his club’s official website: “I’m delighted we have managed to secure the services of Bersant. He’s a player who knows the Championship well and it’s apparent that he is really keen to make his mark again in English football.”

Technical director Ricky Martin added: “We are really pleased to have made Bersant our second signing of this transfer window.

“Technically, he’s a very exciting player who will bring great creativity to our squad and I know he wants to make his time with us a success.

“I’m sure everyone will get behind him and help him settle into his new environment.”

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.

Elsewhere, former Town defender Tom Eastman has joined fellow League Two side Harrogate on loan for the rest of the season from Colchester United. The 31-year-old has been with the U's for almost 12 years but that spell looks to have come to an end with his contract up in the summer.

Ex-Blues midfielder Shane McLoughlin, 25, has joined Salford City having left Morecambe by mutual consent.

Right-back James Bree, 25, who was on loan at Town from Aston Villa in the second half of the 2019/19 relegation season, has joined Premier League Southampton from Luton for a reported £750,000, signing a three-and-a-half-year deal.

Photo: Steve Waller

sospier added 20:15 - Jan 26 Sorry but is this irrelevant to us anymore.
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jabberjackson added 20:27 - Jan 26 I, for one, find this interesting and newsworthy even in TWTD What is the point in denigrating the efforts made by the TWTD team to keep us informed?
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chorltonskylineblue added 20:41 - Jan 26 sospier - feel free to jog on then
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Clemcc added 20:41 - Jan 26 Thanks for the updates. I am always interested with news of former blues!
17

chepstowblue added 20:44 - Jan 26 I still believe we should have done everything in our power to get him this season. Would have given us the X factor- which is the one thing lacking in this squad. I believe his time with us is the only time he's ever been truly happy in his career and he's far too good to be passed around without having a genuine 'football home'.
5

blueboy1981 added 20:47 - Jan 26 He'll surprise me if he doesn't do well at Stoke - that level of game will suit his ability. Good Luck Celina.
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ButchersBrokenNose added 21:34 - Jan 26 I stood there laughing when I heard about this.
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GatesofDelirium added 00:49 - Jan 27 We have missed his creativity and guile at times this season and it has cost us draws instead of victories. Perhaps he will join us again once we are promoted as he is far too good for League one.
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Nobbysnuts added 08:03 - Jan 27 Twtd....let it go....this is completely irrelevant to us now...time to move on.....
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Len_Brennan added 08:29 - Jan 27 Apart from it being of interest due to him being a recent player for us, who we again tried to sign in the summer just gone; it is also the case that many of us thought we would probably go in for him again this Summer, after his season long loan was up & when hopefully we'd be back in the Championship, and able to do a deal with Dijon. If he does well, Stoke will be primed for that deal now though.

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dirtydingusmagee added 08:47 - Jan 27 Nobbysnuts , never thought you would post a negative comment on here , most unlike you.!
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Rimsy added 13:46 - Jan 27 The crazy trip to Turkey all makes sense now, was probably planned this way from the summer. Good luck for the future though Bersant.
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Linkboy13 added 16:06 - Jan 27 Clubs seem reluctant to offer him a permanent deal. Possibly a luxury they can't afford. Couldn't get a regular game in the French second division with Dijon. Don't get me wrong I like Bersant a lot technically very good and capable of winning a game on his own, but dosent do enough when he hasn't got the ball. I hope he gets a permanent deal at Stoke but needs to work much harder otherwise he will be heading off elsewhere in the world.

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