Celtic have confirmed on their website the signing of Maccabi Petah Tikva sensation Liel Abada as the nineteen-year-old completes his move to the Scottish giants subject to international clearance.
The 19-year-old attacker is represented by agent Dudu Dahan who played his part in Nir Bitton, Hatem Abd Elhamed and Beram Kayal’s Celtic move in the recent past. He is rated highly back in his homeland and has received plaudits from Maccabi Petah Tikva boss Guy Luzon.
“Liel is one of the greatest young talents I have ever seen in my time in football. And I say that when I have seen a great many of players both across Europe and at home. He was put in my team on merit and I will tell you why. He is the best finisher in the Israeli league and by a wide margin.”
The teenager enjoyed an outrageous club campaign with 13 goals and 4 assists in 38 appearances altogether (stats via Transfermarket). He has mostly been deployed down the right-hand flank, an area where the Hoops are over-reliant on James Forrest over the years.
Abada represented Israel in various youth ranks since U16s and eventually earned his senior debut last month against Montenegro. His fine form with the Luzons brought him under the limelight and his sharpness as a makeshift ‘number 9’ depicted the flexibility across the frontline. He is quick, loves to take on the defenders, whereas the swift footwork and cut insides allow him to cause menace in the attacking third. His finishing is exquisite and his decision-making high up the pitch exhibits his maturity at such a tender age.
Why Celtic Might Get Benefitted From The Abada Deal
Ange Postecoglou has a mountain to climb following his appointment as the Parkhead chief. He desperately needs reinforcements amid a potential mass exodus but, at the same time, must be encouraged by the performance of ‘fringe stars’ from last season. They have won both the friendlies against Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton Athletic and the outcomes would certainly boost their confidence ahead of the crucial Champions League qualifier versus Midtjylland.
Academy prodigy Owen Moffat and Mikey Johnston have impressed down the wide, so has Albian Ajeti as the centre-forward after overcoming the failures of the previous term. They might turn out to be integral in Postecoglou’s Celtic revolution and a prospect of Abada’s potential should add more value to the current setup. The ex-Socceroos boss, who is hailed for his football vision and youth development, must be delighted to have the youngster in his ranks for years to come.
