One of the most bittersweet stories of the 2026 summer transfer window has reached its conclusion. Stefan Bajcetic has officially returned to former club Celta Vigo after Liverpool agreed a deal for his permanent exit. The midfielder returns to his boyhood club after over five years at Anfield, with Liverpool agreeing a deal worth around £1 million to sanction his exit.
The Deal: How It Was Structured
According to Spanish journalist Diego Otero, Celta Vigo will pay Liverpool €1.5 million plus performance-related add-ons, with Bajcetic expected to sign a three-year contract, while Liverpool will retain a buy-back option.
The terms are particularly noteworthy. Rather than a sizeable upfront fee, Liverpool have agreed a package based largely on bonuses, while also securing a percentage of any future sale — an approach that suggests Anfield decision-makers still see long-term value in the midfielder, even if his pathway under Andoni Iraola now appears limited.
The club have included a sell-on clause in the deal, as per The Athletic’s James Pearce.
Transfer: At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Player | Stefan Bajcetic Maquieira |
| From | Liverpool FC |
| To | RC Celta Vigo |
| Transfer Type | Permanent |
| Transfer Fee | €1.5m + Performance Add-ons |
| Contract Length | 3 Years |
| Liverpool Buy-Back | Yes (Retained) |
| Announced | August 31, 2026 |
| Liverpool Manager | Andoni Iraola |
| Initial Club Join | January 2021 (£224,000) |
Why Did Liverpool Let Him Go?
Bajcetic, whose contract was to expire next summer, last featured for Liverpool’s first team in May 2024, coming off the bench in one of Jurgen Klopp’s final games at the helm.
He was then sent on loan to Red Bull Salzburg, but that was ended prematurely due to a lack of game time, with a subsequent move arranged with Las Palmas for the remainder of the 2024/25 season.
The 21-year-old played a key role to lead to hopes he could become an option for Liverpool, but he has not played since undergoing hamstring surgery in May 2025.
Curtis Jones’s departure to Inter Milan may have created space for Bajcetic in Liverpool’s squad. However, the Reds are prioritising Trey Nyoni as Jones’s successor, leaving no room for Bajcetic in Andoni Iraola’s first-team setup.
Player Profile
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Stefan Bajcetic Maquieira |
| Date of Birth | October 22, 2004 |
| Age | 21 |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Place of Birth | Vigo, Spain |
| Height | 1.85m (6ft 1in) |
| Position | Defensive Midfielder / Centre-Back |
| Liverpool Appearances | 22 |
| Liverpool Goals | 1 |
| International | Spain U21 |
| Market Value | €6.8 Million |
Bajcetic’s Career at Liverpool
Bajcetic joined Liverpool from Celta Vigo in December 2020, when he was only 16, with the reported compensation approximately €250,000 for a teenager who had progressed through Celta’s A Madroa academy without representing their senior side.
Bajcetic made his senior Liverpool debut at 17 during the 9-0 Premier League victory over Bournemouth in August 2022, going on to make 22 first-team appearances, score once, and receive a Liverpool player of the month award.
The 21-year-old was once viewed as one of the most exciting young players at Anfield, but a succession of injury problems has badly disrupted his development.
Stefan Bajcetic at Liverpool: Career Timeline
| Season | Club | Status | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020/21 – 2023/24 | Liverpool | First Team | 22 Apps, 1 Goal |
| 2024/25 (Aug–Jan) | Red Bull Salzburg | Loan | Cut Short |
| 2024/25 (Jan–Jun) | Las Palmas | Loan | Season-Ending Surgery |
| 2025/26 | Liverpool | Injured / Unused | No Appearances |
| 2026/27 | Celta Vigo | Permanent | Fresh Start |
Why Celta Vigo?
Returning to his boyhood club would place Bajcetic in a familiar environment where the focus can be on playing regularly rather than immediately competing for a place at an elite Premier League side.
Celta are not considering the midfielder for the first team, as they instead want him with Celta Fortuna in the Spanish second division to gain experience and confidence after his injury woes.
Celta Fortuna coach Fredi Alvarez publicly backed the signing ahead of its completion. The coach said he would welcome Bajcetic’s arrival: “We need a central midfielder, and we know Stefan can perfectly fill that position. In this final week, we’re going to try to sign a midfielder.”
Celta have evaluated Bajcetic’s physical condition and confirmed their satisfaction with his fitness trajectory.
Transfer Route: Liverpool to Celta Vigo & Back Again
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Celta Vigo Youth (Joined) | 2013 |
| Celta Vigo Youth (Left) | 2020 |
| Liverpool (Joined) | January 2021 |
| Fee Paid by Liverpool | ~€250,000 |
| Liverpool (Left) | August 2026 |
| Fee Received by Liverpool | €1.5m + Add-ons |
| Liverpool Buy-Back | Yes |
What Happens Next for Liverpool?
Liverpool appear to have chosen flexibility over a fixed transfer fee, which may suit all parties. Celta Vigo gain an affordable addition, while Liverpool retain a financial stake in the player’s future progress.
Liverpool are accepting a modest initial fee for a player once regarded as one of their most exciting young midfielders, but they have not entirely surrendered their interest in his future.
Read More: Cody Gakpo Staying at Liverpool: Manchester City’s £80m Bid Rejected
