Nir Bitton has turned down a move to Maccabi Tel Aviv, according to a report.
The midfielder left Celtic at the end of last season as one of the club's most decorated players ever after picking up 18 major trophies with the Parkhead side including eight Premiership titles, four Scottish Cups and six League cup triumphs.
The Israel international - who is now a free agent after nine years at the Hoops - is considering offers in his homeland as well as other European clubs but he has rejected a first offer from Maccabi Tel Aviv reports Mark Walker via the Daily Record. The Bloomfield Stadium club outfit are now considering whether to return to the table with improved terms for the midfielder, who can also play at the back.
Bitton starred for FC Ashdod before making the move to Celtic.
His final appearance for Ange Postecoglou's side came in the 6-0 hammering of Motherwell.
He came on for the final moments and took the captain's armband.
Speaking at the time of his departure with Celtic TV, an emotional Bitton said: "I never thought this day would come but now it’s come it’s a really sad day for me.
“This is all I know, this club, I’ve been here for nine years as a foreigner, I came here as a young boy.
“If you told me when I signed here that I would stay for nine years and win 18 trophies and make more than 270 appearances I would have bit your hand.
“It’s just a great achievement for me and my family and I’m just glad I had the opportunity to play for this amazing club, be part of this decade of the club and I’m very sad to leave.
“This club gave me a lot, it transformed me into the person and player I am today.
“I’m just glad I had the opportunity to play for this club and have these memories, win as many trophies as I won and make memories for life that will stay with me forever.”
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