Nir Bitton has dubbed Celtic as "the biggest club in Scotland" as he penned an emotional farewell. The Israeli midfielder left Parkhead this summer to join Maccabi Tel Aviv after a successful nine year stay in the east end of Glasgow.
Bitton made 270 appearances for Celtic and proved a popular figure with the Hoops support. And he came off the bench for trophy day as Celtic beat Motherwell on the final day of the season to collect his 18th winners medal since joining the club back in 2013.
He had been linked with a move to several clubs across Europe as he left the Scottish Premiership champions. But he instead opted to join his boyhood club back in his homeland with his wife due to have another baby.
In an Instagram post, the midfielder reflected on his almost decade long stay in Scotland by giving Celtic fans some cheer with his remark on how big of club they are. He also states that his latest club will be pretty similar when it comes to boisterous atmospheres.
He said: "After 9 successful years at Celtic, the biggest club in Scotland and one of the biggest in the British Island and Europe, I'm coming back home - to the biggest club in Israel. When I went abroad, I know that I was going to realise my dream and play in a huge club, in a packed stadium, in front of an audience that was creating a crazy atmosphere, with the goal of winning as many titles as possible and reaching as many European factories as possible.
"Reality managed to exceed all expectations and I achieved quite a few goals and dreams. This time, I'm going back to a pretty similar reality - a huge club with a stadium that is supposed to be packed with an audience that knows how to create an atmosphere no less warm, and the same goals: Europe and degrees.
"I will do everything to turn dreams into reality. Starting over, here and now. Let's go Maccabi."
The 30-year-old still has plenty to offer his new club and is likely to get regular week-to-week football in the top-flight. That is due to the fact he is Israel's most decorated player regarded as a dependable international star.
With Bitton departing alongside fan favourite Tom Rogic, Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou will be expected to strengthen in midfield after already securing the permanent transfers of Alexandro Bernabei, Benjamin Siegrist, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Daizen Maeda and Jota this summer. Postecoglou guided the Parkhead club to a domestic Double last season and will be eager to achieve more success this season.
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