South Korean right back Cha Du-Ri has left Celtic Park to return to Germany and sign for German outfit Fortuna Dusseldorf.
The defender struggled to break into the first team as a regular following his move from Freiburg in July 2010, however the German-born South Korean international did make 44 appearances for the SPL champions, scoring twice. But after the signing of Welshman Adam Matthews, he fell down the pecking order.
A Celtic spokesperson said: “Everyone at the club would like to wish Cha every success in his future career.”
Meanwhile Celtic have also confirmed the departures of Dominic Cervi, Darren O’Dea, Niall McGinn and Richie Towell.
Cervi joined Celtic back in 2009, however he failed to make a single competitive first team appearance and was farmed out on loan to Morton last season.
Darren O’Dea, a product of the Celtic youth academy and a regular member of the first team squad, fell out of favour under Tony Mowbray and Neil Lennon being farmed out on loan. Despite that O’Dea made 70 appearances for Celtic, captaining the team on a number of occasions. The highlight of his time at the club must surely be scoring the opening goal in the 2-0 League Cup final over Rangers in 2009.
Fellow Irishman (albeit from the north) Niall McGinn has departed Celtic after being surplus to requirements. McGinn joined Celtic from Derry City in January 2009. He made 36 appearances, scoring six goals before being sent out on loan last season to Brentford City.
Richie Towell, another product of the club’s youth academy, made his first team debut in 2010 in a 2-2 draw with Inverness Caley Thistle, but he was farmed out on loan last season to Hibernian in order to gain first team football.
A statement on the club’s official website read: “Everyone at Celtic would like to thank all four players for their contribution over the years and they leave with the club´s best wishes.”
