Liverpool continue to clear the decks of players who are not in Andoni Iraola's plans ahead of Tuesday night's deadline
Stefan Bajetic
Stefan Bajetic has returned to Celta Vigo
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Stejan Bajcetic has completed a transfer to Celta Vigo, Liverpool have confirmed in a statement. The midfielder has returned to the Spanish side Liverpool originally purchased him from.
Liverpool signed Bajcetic in 2021, shortly after he had been compared to Barcelona icon Sergio Busquets. He broke into the first team in 2022 and looked poised to anchor the midfield for years to come.
However, a calf injury derailed his development and forced him to miss most of the 2023–24 campaign. The 21‑year‑old then struggled to impress during loan spells at Red Bull Salzburg and Las Palmas.
Having entered the final year of his deal at Anfield, Liverpool saw an opportunity to sell him for a fee rather than risk losing him for nothing. Andoni Iraola was also understood to not have him in his plans.
A Liverpool statement reads: "Stefan Bajcetic has completed a permanent transfer from Liverpool to Celta Vigo. The midfielder returns to the Spanish club after five-and-a-half years with the Reds in which he made 22 senior appearances and scored once.
"Bajcetic arrived on Merseyside from Celta in February 2021 and quickly progressed through the ranks at the club’s Academy. He debuted for Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp as a second-half substitute during the 9-0 Anfield win over AFC Bournemouth in August 2022, aged 17. A first goal followed for Bajcetic in a 3-1 Premier League victory away at Aston Villa on Boxing Day that same year, and overall he featured 19 times that season.
"However, injury issues limited him to only three appearances in the next campaign. Bajcetic played 33 games across loan spells with Red Bull Salzburg and Las Palmas during 2024-25, though was again unable to take to the pitch during 2025-26. A deal has now been agreed for the 21-year-old to return to Celta in a permanent move. Everyone at LFC wishes Stefan the best of luck for the future."
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Meanwhile, Celta added: "Celta and Liverpool FC have reached an agreement for the transfer of Stefan Bajcetic, who becomes a new player for the reserve team until June 2029. Developed at A Madroa, Stefan left Vigo in January 2021 heading to Liverpool, where he completed his development and reached the first team at just 17 years old.
"With the Reds, he played 22 matches, scored one goal, and debuted in the UEFA Champions League. Later, he spent time at RB Salzburg, where he continued gaining experience in Europe's top club competition, and at UD Las Palmas in LaLiga. At 21 years old, the central midfielder returns home to bring his quality, vision, and ability to read the game to Fredi Alvarez's team.
"Celta welcomes him back and wishes him great success in this new chapter as a celeste. Welcome home, Stefan!"
The fee involved in the deal has not been disclosed.
In addition to Bajcetic, the likes of Ibrahima Konate, Andy Robertson, Mohamed Salah and Rhys Williams have also departed the Reds' senior squad this summer. On the incoming front, Iraola has been backed with Victor Munoz, Ronald Araujo, Jérémy Jacquet and Bradley Barcola.
There will be more to follow. We'll bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.
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