One of Martin O’Neill’s first acquisitions for Celtic was the versatile striker Joos Valgaeren, a BELGIAN international, who cost £3.8 million to purchase from Roda JC in July 2000.
The 6-foot-plus defender had caught the new Hoops manager’s eye during the summer’s Euro Finals with some outstanding displays, and the Irishman needed to move quickly since English clubs, mainly Leeds United and Sunderland, were expressing interest.
As part of a strong backline that included Bobo Balde, Johan Mjallby, and Valgaeren, O’Neill favored a center defensive trio.
The adaptable performer, who could also play full-back, was not a noted goalscorer, but he hit the headlines with a superb effort in a rollicking 4-3 Champions League triumph over Juventus in October 2001 and add another in a 2-1 success over Rangers a month later.
Valgaeren was forced to limp out of Celtic’s 3-2 extra-time UEFA Cup Final loss to Jose Mourinho’s Porto in Seville in May 2003 which didn’t help the Parkhead club’s cause on a memorable – if not victorious – occasion.
The back-four operator’s fourth season at the club was hindered by injuries, and he left at the end of the 2004–05 season when his contract ended.
During his tenure in Glasgow, he won three championships, three Scottish Cups, and one League. Three years after rejoining Club Brugge KV in his own country, the well-known Hoops performer transferred to FC Emmen. 2009 saw him give up playing at the age of 34. To Valgaeren, the final word.
The former Hoops player declared, “I played five years for a beautiful club, so it is now in my blood,” years after departing Glasgow. Even if it’s only from a distance, I’m in favor.
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