Man United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir joins Celta Vigo on season-long loan
Vigo, Aug 7
Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir has joined La Liga club Celta Vigo on a season-long loan, with the Spanish side securing an option to make the move permanent at the end of the 2026-27 campaign.
As part of the agreement, Celta will cover the Turkish international's wages throughout the loan spell and hold an option to sign him permanently for a reported fee of around £3.5 million, with additional performance-related bonuses and a significant sell-on clause included in Manchester United's favour.
The move offers Bayindir the opportunity for regular first-team football after three seasons at Old Trafford, where he largely played a backup role. The 28-year-old made 17 appearances for United across all competitions after arriving from Turkish giants Fenerbahce in 2023, becoming the first Turkish footballer to represent the Premier League club. During his time in England, he accumulated more than 1,500 minutes of action while featuring in domestic cup competitions and European fixtures.
Bayindir began his career in the youth systems of Bursaspor and Ankaragucu before making his professional debut with the latter. He rose to prominence during a four-year spell at Fenerbahce, where his consistent performances established him as one of Turkey's leading goalkeepers. His leadership qualities also saw him captain the Istanbul club before earning a move to Manchester United.
The Turkish international, who has represented his country at senior level on multiple occasions, joins a Celta Vigo side looking to strengthen its squad after qualifying for European competition under head coach Claudio Giraldez.
Bayindir will travel directly to Italy to join Celta's pre-season training camp, where the club is scheduled to play friendly matches against Sassuolo and Napoli before the new season begins.
"Celta welcomes him and trusts that he will continue to provide security between the posts, an imposing physical presence and his ability to dominate aerial play during this new chapter in the Celeste shirt. Welcome, Bayindir!" the club said in an official statement.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Honestly, this is a good move for all parties. Bayindir gets regular playing time, Celta gets a solid keeper, and United gets his wages off the books. The £3.5m fee seems low, but the sell-on clause is smart. Hope he does well in La Liga! 🇹🇷⚽
Makes sense for a 28-year-old keeper who needs to be starting every week. Celta getting European football makes this even more attractive for him. The sell-on clause is key here - if he performs well in La Liga, his value could easily double. Smart business by United actually.
Never understood why United kept him on the bench for so long. He showed glimpses of quality in the FA Cup matches. But this is the right time for him to leave - at 28, he's in his prime and needs to be a No.1 somewhere. Wishing him all the best at Celta Vigo! 🙌
Good move from a player's perspective, but United's recruitment continues to baffle me. Why buy a keeper in 2023 if you're not going to give him meaningful minutes? Loan with an option to buy for just £3.5m after paying £4.3m for him - that's a loss. Typical INEOS era genius.
Actually think this could be a brilliant move for Celta. Bayindir is a big presence in goal and was excellent for Fenerbahce. Playing in La Liga with European football will boost his confidence. United might regret this if he shines
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.