Celtic winger Luis Palma chose the Scottish giants over a move to Saudi Arabia in the summer after seeking advice from former coach Fracisco Pavon.
That’s according to Pavon himself, who has revealed that the 24-year-old turned down the big money in the Middle East to instead head to Scotland.
Palma joined Celtic in a €4.75m deal from Aris Saloniki in the summer and has been a big hit since, with 10 goals and 12 assists in 28 games in all competitions so far this season.
It’s been a rapid rise so far for the 24-year-old, who has gone from playing in his native Honduras in 2019 to Greece and now Scotland in the space of four years.
Celtic appear to have secured themselves a bargain and potential star of the future and it seems they had to battle to get him to Celtic Park in the future.
That’s at least according to his former coach Pavon, who has revealed Palma contacted him in the summer to discuss whether he should accept a deal from Celtic or one from Saudi Arabia, which was also on the table.
“I remember that when he was in negotiations to go to Celtic, he also had an offer to go to Saudi football and he consulted me for advice,” he said.
“He asked me what I would do and what I would advise him. Of course, I am proud that he takes my points of view into account.
“Despite what he is now, he asks me for advice, perhaps he shouldn’t do it because of the condition and position he finds himself in, that fills me with satisfaction.”
