Ghana international Christian Atsu has revealed he rejected a move to Scottish giants, Celtic during the last January transfer window.
Atsu is currently a free agent after his contract at Newcastle United came to an end last month.
The player was frozen out of the Newcastle United first team by Manager Steve Bruce, who clearly shown his dislike for the winger’s football talents.
While on the fringes, there was a last-minute opportunity for him to enjoy some playing time elsewhere when a late offer was received on transfer deadline day.
He claims with 5 hours to the closure of the Winter window, an offer was received from Celtic with Newcastle eager for him to leave.
Atsu says he however turned it down and has explained his reasons in an interview with The Athletic.
“Five hours before the window closed, they asked me to go to another club. Five hours to close!” Atsu revealed. “The club knew my position, why I’d stayed. With five hours’ notice, that was never going to change. It was impossible to make that decision. My family comes first.”
Atsu further explains that it was because of his wife, and two sons, that he decided to stay last summer, even though Steve Bruce, the head coach, had told him he should depart.
“It was fine last summer because Newcastle told me early,” Atsu says. “But I was not just going to move just anywhere, I have my family to think about. I understand some people will never accept my decision but I’d signed a contract,”
“People forget that footballers are human beings, we have families and we have to make decisions that are best for them, not just selfish ones. My kids are settled in school in Newcastle, I cannot just move without knowing where they would be going to school and if it’s right for them. They wanted me to stay. It’s not just about football, it’s about life, and I’ll always think about my family when I take these decisions,” he concluded.
Christian Atsu is a devout Christian and loves to keep family close. His wife Marie-Claire, and two sons, Joshua and Godwin remain very close to him.
