Stefan Bajcetic's Liverpool career came to an end with a permanent transfer to Celta Vigo, but the former Reds youngster has been looking to rebuild his career away from Anfield.
Stefan Bajcetic of Liverpool during a training session at Endeavor Health Performance Center on July 23, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois
Stefan Bajcetic has continued to struggle since leaving Liverpool(Image: 2026 Liverpool FC)
Stefan Bajcetic has embarked on a new chapter in his career since completing a permanent move away from Liverpool in the summer.
Bajcetic joined Liverpool from Celta Vigo in 2021 as a promising young midfielder expected to develop within the club's academy. He quickly made an impression, earning his senior debut in 2022 before going on to make 19 appearances under Jurgen Klopp. His performances suggested he had the potential to become an important part of Liverpool's future.
However, opportunities became harder to come by during the 2023/24 campaign after a calf injury forced the Spaniard onto the sidelines. That setback proved to be an early indication of the fitness problems he would continue to experience.
Loan spells at RB Salzburg and Las Palmas followed, but a serious hamstring injury during his time with the latter required surgery and kept him out of action for more than a year.
This summer finally offered Bajcetic the opportunity to regain his fitness and get his career back on track. However, with just 12 months remaining on his Liverpool contract, a permanent departure appeared increasingly likely.
Bajectic flew to Finland for a medical assessment of his injury concerns with a view to obtaining medical clearance ahead of a potential transfer.
That eventually materialized towards the end of the transfer window, when Bajcetic returned to his boyhood club. The Spanish side reportedly paid around $1.75 million to secure his services, bringing his Liverpool career to an end.
Stefan Bajčetić of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre
Stefan Bajcetic left Liverpool late in the summer transfer window(Image: (Photo by Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))
Following his return to Celta Vigo, Bajcetic initially linked up with the club's reserve side, Celta Fortuna, under manager Fredi Álvarez in the Spanish second division as he looked to rebuild his fitness and match sharpness following a series of injury setbacks.
The midfielder has since made three substitute appearances in the LaLiga HyperMotion, most recently featuring in a 2-1 defeat against Burgos CF on November 7.
Celta has taken a cautious approach to his reintegration, keeping him out of the senior matchday squad while he continues to work towards full fitness. The intention is to allow Bajcetic to regain his confidence and physical condition before bringing him back into first-team contention.
However, at just 21 years old, there is still plenty of time for the midfielder to rediscover the form and promise that initially made him such an exciting prospect at Anfield.
Liverpool.com says: Stefan Bajcetic's permanent departure from Liverpool feels like the right move for all parties, particularly given how badly injuries have disrupted his development. The Spaniard showed enough during his early appearances at Anfield to suggest he could become a first-team regular, but his priority now must be rebuilding his fitness and rediscovering that form