All you need to know about Celtic target Bersant Celina

CELTIC have today been linked with a loan move for Manchester City midfielder Bersant Celina. Here's all you need to know about the Kosovan youngster

Bersant Celina was born in Kosovo but grew up in Norway. Picture: mcfc.co.uk

Born in Prizren, Kosovo, in September 1996, Bersant Celina moved with his family to Norway when he was two years old.

Joining Stromsgodset’s youth set-up in 2007 - when Ronny Deila was still a player at the Drammen-based club - Celina was at the club with the likes of Martin Odegaard and Stefan Johansen, before accepting a two-year scholarship offer to join Manchester City’s academy at the age of 15.

In July 2014, Celina agreed a three-year professional deal with City and was called up to the first-team squad in December 2014 by Manuel Pellegrini with the club facing a hectic December fixture list, playing four games in 10 days.

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The midfielder did not make the 18-man match day squad for the first three games, but was an unused substitute in an FA Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday in January 2015.

Later that month, Celina travelled to Abu Dhabi with the first team squad, making his first senior appearance as a substitute for Edin Dzeko in a friendly match with Hamburg.

He made his official debut earlier this month, coming off the bench in City’s 3-0 win over Norwich in the FA Cup.

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Able to play on either wing, or further forward, Celina bagged the Manchester City Academy Goal of the Season prize in the 2013/14 season, and regularly got his name on the scoresheet for City’s youth sides.

Nine goals in 14 appearances for the Under-18 side and four gaols in seven UEFA Youth League appearances saw him called into Patrick Vieira’s Elite Development Squad, where he scored three in 10 Under-21 matches.

The 19-year-old has made 16 appearances for Norway at Under-15, Under-16, Under-17 and Under-21 level, and he has represented Kosovo twice.

He was the youngest player in Kosovo’s squad for a FIFA-sanctioned friendly against Haiti in March 2014, and was again selected for a 1-0 win over Oman in September 2014.

Despite his appearances for Norway, Celina is reportedly focusing on representing Kosovo.

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