Former Celtic target Dolberg says he couldn’t resist Ajax return | OneFootball

Kasper Dolberg says he couldn’t resist the opportunity to go back to Ajax, opting for the Dutch runners-up instead of Celtic….

AEK Athens v RSC Anderlecht – UEFA Conference League ATHENS, GREECE – AUGUST 28 : Kasper Dolberg forward of RSC Anderlecht with a laser in his eyes during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 play-off round second leg between AEK Athens and RSC Anderlecht on August 28, 2025 in Athens, Greece, 28/08/2025 Athens Greece. Photo IMAGO Jan De Meuleneir

The forward appeared set to join Celtic on transfer deadline day, having been lined up as a replacement for Adam Idah, who was on his way to Swansea.

Early on Monday, Ajax expressed interest, and from that point, the 27-year-old was determined to make the move to Amsterdam. Having played for the Eredivisie giants from 2015-2019, he chose to return there rather than join Celtic.

Consequently – summing up Celtic’s transfer window – Brendan Rodgers missed out on his preferred striker on deadline day, ultimately bringing in free agent Kelechi Iheanacho late Tuesday evening, just in time for his inclusion in the Europa League squad.

Now, Dolberg has told Anderlecht supporters that the appeal of returning to Ajax was simply irresistible.

Taking to Instagram, Dolberg said: “Two years ago, I joined your club, that turned out to be exactly the right place for me. No, we didn’t win a trophy together. How I wish we could have shared that moment.”

“However, we shared a lot of other things. Passion. Mutual respect. A city for my family. My little girls were born here. Brussels will always be special for us.”

“An opportunity to go back to Ajax arrived late in the window. I asked the club to allow the move to happen. I simply could not let this opportunity slip away to go back. To go home. I’m very grateful that Anderlecht has granted me this move. It shows the mutual respect we have had for each other over the past two years.”

AEK Athens v RSC Anderlecht – UEFA Conference League ATHENS, GREECE – AUGUST 28 : Dolberg Kasper forward of RSC Anderlecht in action during the UEFA Conference League 2025 26 play-off round second leg between AEK Athens and RSC Anderlecht on August 28, 2025 in Athens, Greece, 28 08 2025 Athens Greece Photo: IMAGO Jan De Meuleneir

“To you, fans: thank you for your continuous support. Amsterdam is not that far. Come and visit.”

While it appeared that the Dutch club snapped up Dolberg in front of Celtic at the eleventh hour, Ajax technical director Alex Kroes maintains that they had been monitoring him for some time.

When asked how long they had been monitoring Dolberg’s situation, Kroes said: “For months. He became older and more mature [after leaving Ajax]. He will never be the most extrovert person in the world but he doesn’t have to be.”

“He still has that flair. He has been scoring goals over the past years, very pretty goals. He adds something to the team. We have him, Wout Weghorst and Don-Angelo Konadu. He will get a chance to develop himself, there will be plenty of matches in which we will need all three of them.”

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Conor Spence

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