Carl Starfelt reveals Celtic 'shock' over Jacynta exit claim made by Brendan Rodgers

The Swede moved to Spain with the Parkhead gaffer saying his relationship was the reason for his departure.

Carl Starfelt insists his move to Celta Vigo was a football decision as he admitted to being a “little shocked” at Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers revealing his relationship with former Hoops women’s star Jacynta Galabadaarachchi was behind the switch.

The Swedish stopper, on international duty ahead of Euro 2024 qualifiers against Estonia and Austria, said it was a “plus” that he would be closer to his partner and his parents who live in Lisbon, after the Australian forward joined Sporting from Fran Alonso’s Hoops. Starfelt moved to Celtic from Rubin Kazan two years ago and after joining Rafa Benitez's La Liga side, Rodgers said “Carl’s clearly in a really strong relationship and we all make decisions based on relationships or family.”

But the 28-year-old told Expressen: “It is clear that it is a plus. She and also my parents live in Lisbon, so it will be a bit closer. But above all, it was football that decided. It was maybe a little exaggerated, so maybe I was a little shocked (about Rodgers' comments and the reaction). When you leave you get a little sentimental, even though I am convinced that I have come to enjoy myself in Spain.

“I will always be very grateful for my time at Celtic, you understand what a great club you have been a part of. I will look back on that when I retire, what good years I had there. I kept saying it would be something good for me to leave, and then this came up.

"They presented a good project where they want to invest and push up the table. They've brought in Rafa Benitez as a manager as well, so that felt like a good move to me. It's a dream I've had to come to a really big league, says the centre-back and continues to pay tribute to his new coach a little extra. He is a really good coach who has been through a lot and achieved a lot in his career. You have a lot to learn from him."