Former Celtic loanee Timo Weah has signed for Olympique Marseille on loan from Juventus, with a €14m obligation to buy included in the agreement.
Fabrizio Romano reports the package will see Marseille pay €1m for the initial loan, with the permanent clause automatically triggered next summer. A further €3m in add-ons and a sell-on clause have also been negotiated. Weah was determined to join Marseille and is now set to begin the next chapter of his career in Ligue 1.
Celtic supporters will remember the American forward from his short but lively spell at Parkhead in early 2019. The son of Ballon d’Or winner George Weah joined Brendan Rodgers’ side on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in January of that year, bringing pace, direct running and a touch of European glamour to the attack.
In just 17 appearances, Weah found the net four times and chipped in with assists, playing his part in the Hoops’ historic treble-treble campaign. His direct style and eye for goal made him a fan favourite in flashes, though his time in Glasgow was cut short.
When Neil Lennon took over from Rodgers in February 2019, Weah asked to join the USA U20 squad for the World Cup in the lead up to the end of the season. While Lennon was keen to keep Weah at the club and work out a way that Timo could both get to play for his country and play in the Scottish cup final, Weah wasn’t for it, at which point Lenny sent him packing. The decision meant Weah missed the Scottish Cup Final win over Hearts, though he still collected the league medal.
Since leaving Celtic, the 25-year-old has played for Lille and Juventus, building a solid reputation in European football. Now, with Marseille committing to a €14m obligation to buy, it’s another reminder of the high-level talent that has passed through Celtic Park, even if only briefly.
Tees for Tims