Player says he’s ‘enjoying’ life after leaving Celtic, had ‘number of options’ to pick from

Kristoffer Ajer tried to get a move away from Celtic in the 2020 summer transfer window and even changed agents to push for a move away from the Scottish club.

The defender was unsuccessful and after spending last season with Celtic, he managed to seal a switch to Brentford in July.

Back in March, Norway manager Ståle Solbakken urged the 23-year-old to leave Celtic for a ‘better league’ in order to improve his overall game. The centre-back has now shared his thoughts on leaving Celtic for the Bees in the summer.

“It has been a dream transfer for me. It is a fantastic club that analyses everything to the letter. You know absolutely everything about the opponent before you start the match. I live in a great city, enjoy myself and enjoy life,” Ajer said, as quoted by VG.

Regarding Solbakken’s comments from March, the Norway international explained a move to Brentford will benefit his development.

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“I had a number of options in the transfer window that I had to consider. Brentford were the club I considered to be the one that could develop me best. I know that there are things I have to develop,” he added.

“I think it is natural when you play a little too many matches at a level that is not high enough. I have incredible respect for the Scottish league, there are many great teams there, but there will be a little too many matches where I am not challenged enough.

“I will definitely be [challenged] in the Premier League, so I probably think the Premier League is not possible to complain about.”

Ajer has made four appearances, including three starts in the league, for Thomas Frank’s side. After having spent over a month at Brentford, the player admitted he made the right choice by joining the Bees from Celtic.

“I get help from Ståle and enormous help every single day from the coaches at Brentford and not least the assistant Brian, who has an enormous knowledge of the defence. When I made the choice, Brentford was clearly the first choice,” Ajer stressed.

Solbakken has also shared his thoughts on Ajer’s decision to leave Celtic for Brentford.

“I think that is a good club choice. He is intended for a lot of playing time and has played the three matches so far. They have many principles of zonal defending that we would like to achieve,” Solbakken said.

“Even though they started with a five at the back now, it may well be that they play with a four or that we play with five once.”