Celtic have announced the signing of Stoke right-back Moritz Bauer on a season-long loan. The Hoops have the option to buy the Austrian international at the end of the season.
The 27-year-old has not played a single minute for the Potters this campaign after being frozen out at the Bet365 Stadium. He was also a peripheral figure throughout last season, having failed to impress either manager Gary Rowett or his successor Nathan Jones.
Supporters on Twitter are rather sceptical about this latest transfer, especially as it is another loan deal:
He'll be purely backup to Elhamed… I reckon
— Gazzarinho (@gazzarinho1) 28 August 2019
Lets give the lad a chance ?
— Jack Maguire ? (@magoorie87) 28 August 2019
Skint ?
— MMLN (@MMLN54) 28 August 2019
Remember everyone slated ElHamed, then all of sudden he is a no bad player. GIVE PLAYERS A CHANCE!!
— ChristopherGillespie ???????? (@christopher1g89) 28 August 2019
Haven’t seen him play but based on his transfers I’d say he could come good. If he does we buy. If he doesn’t we don’t. Now announce Meiling, Wanyama and that’ll be you out the dog house Peter Pan.
— DonBhoy (@bhoy_don) 28 August 2019
Cheers Bauer. By the looks of it you were 33rd choice for RB..
— Liam90 (@liammi90) 28 August 2019
I’ll reserve judgment until I actually see him play
— Paddy bhoy (@PatQuin22110556) 28 August 2019
good signing wolves chasing him last January should tell you something
— darren branney (@darrenb95) 28 August 2019
What a joke the fans have been shafted again ??
— Joseph kelly (@joekelly666) 28 August 2019
Loan signing that couldn’t get a game for the team bottom of championship?
— Ryan Kerr (@Ryan14Kerr) 28 August 2019
Great signing. A qualified pilot so we'll save money there.
In all seriousness. Elhamed is first choice and has been quality so far. A loan signing as backup is ok.
— Shaun (@TheTweetofShaun) 28 August 2019
Bauer has Premier League experience, having played 15 times in the English top-flight for Stoke following his move from Russia club Rubin Kazan in the 2018 January transfer window.
It is a concern, though, that he was unable to nail down a place in the team after the Potters were relegated to the English Championship. He will likely, therefore, only be backup for Hatem Abd Elhamed.