Vasilis Barkas: Celtic's outcast goalkeeper to join Utrecht on season-long loan
- Published
Vasilis Barkas last played for Celtic in a 3-1 win away to St Johnstone in December
Out-of-favour Celtic goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas will spend next season on loan to Utrecht in the Dutch top flight.
The 28-year-old Greece international made only two first-team appearances last season and has not featured for the Scottish champions since December.
He signed for £5m from AEK Athens in 2020 but has slipped to third choice behind Joe Hart and Scott Bain.
Utrecht technical director Jordy Zuidam described it as "an absolute boost" to sign the "big and athletic goalkeeper".
"He has good reflexes, rules in the air in the box, stands his ground in one-on-one duels and has charisma," he told his club website. "Vasilis is also an experienced goalkeeper who has played at top clubs in Greece and Scotland and has played the necessary international matches."
Utrecht, who finished seventh in the Eredivisie last season, made the move following an ongoing injury to Fabian de Keijzer and the departure of Eric Oelschlagel.
Barkas, who has 13 international caps and made 24 Celtic appearances, joins Greece striker Anastasios Douvikas at Stadion Galgenwaard and said "I feel excited" to play in his mother's homeland.
"It's really amazing and a great honour for me to be at a great club with nice and crazy fans in a really good league," he said, adding that he hoped to help Utrecht back into European competition.
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