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Liverpool defensive midfielder Stefan Bajcetic has joined Celta Vigo on a permanent basis. He returns to the Spanish club after five-and-a-half years after joining the Reds’ academy, as per latest transfer news.
Stefan Bajcetic completes Celta return
Bajcetic returns to Celta Vigo after spending five-and-a-half years at Liverpool. As reported by Liverpool FC, the 21-year-old made 22 appearances for the Reds’ senior team, scoring once during his time at the club.
Bajcetic originally joined Liverpool from Celta Vigo in February 2021. He quickly progressed through the club’s academy system. He made his senior debut under Jurgen Klopp in August 2022, coming on as a second-half substitute during Liverpool’s 9-0 win over AFC Bournemouth at Anfield.
The midfielder scored his only goal for Liverpool later that year. He found the net during a 3-1 Premier League victory against Aston Villa on Boxing Day. In the 2022-23 campaign, Bajcetic went on to make 19 appearances, establishing himself as one of the club’s promising young players. However, injuries soon disrupted his progress. He made only three appearances during the following campaign as fitness problems limited his involvement.
Injuries affected Bajcetic’s Liverpool career
Bajcetic spent the 2024-25 season on loan with Red Bull Salzburg and Las Palmas. The midfielder made 33 appearances in those two loan spells, gaining valuable experience away from English football.
However, he did not make a single appearance in the 2025-26 season, further lowering his chances of making a name for himself at Liverpool. As reported by BBC Sport, Bajcetic made only three more appearances for Liverpool after his breakthrough 2022-23 campaign.
His return to Celta gives Bajcetic a chance to restart his career at the club where it all began. Celta will hope he can stay fit and regain his best form. A return to Spain could also help Bajcetic play more often and rebuild his confidence, and also prove why Liverpool saw him as a top talent. The move also gives him a chance to play a bigger role at Celta instead of struggling for minutes at a bigger club.
Liverpool Football Stadium - Anfield
Liverpool Football Stadium - Anfield
Liverpool continue squad changes
Bajcetic’s permanent departure is another change to Liverpool’s squad as the club reshapes its midfield options. The Spaniard leaves after making 22 senior appearances for the Reds, with injuries ultimately preventing him from becoming a regular first-team player.
His departure also brings an end to a five-and-a-half-year spell at Anfield that began when he joined the academy from Celta. As reported by The Mirror, Liverpool have also rejected a bid from Nottingham Forest for young midfielder Trey Nyoni.
The Reds are continuing to assess their squad as they prepare for another demanding season under head coach Andoni Iraola. For Celta, Bajcetic’s return represents a chance to bring back a player who developed at the club before making his breakthrough in England.
The midfielder will now look to settle back into life in Spain and make himself as a key player for his boyhood club. Liverpool have wished Bajcetic the best for the future, while the 21-year-old will hope his move to Celta can mark the beginning of a fresh chapter in his career.
A successful spell back in Spain could allow Bajcetic to rebuild his name and become a key part of Celta’s midfield. It also gives him the opportunity to put his injury problems behind him and enjoy regular first-team football.
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