Celtic confirmed on Friday evening that Vakoun Bayo has joined Belgian side Gent on a permanent deal, and a number of Hoops supporters have been giving their thoughts on the transfer on social media.

Bayo was signed by Celtic back in 2019 in a deal worth £2m. The 24-year-old made just 17 appearances in Scotland, scoring on two occasions.

He spent last season on loan at Toulouse and impressed in 2021, scoring 11 of his 13 goals for the campaign following the turn of the year.

The move to Gent is thought to be worth £1.4m, meaning that Celtic have made a £600,000 loss on Bayo, who left Ivory Coast’s Olympic squad to finalise a deal.

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Celtic fans react

Celtic quoted Gent’s transfer tweet and confirmed the move on their official Twitter page, wishing the forward the best of luck for the future.

Here is what these fans had to say in reply, with one describing the club's decision to sell him at a loss as ‘mental’, perhaps due to his upturn in form since January.

"Another player sold and Celtic yet to buy anyone of note. Must be about the 7th season in a row we’re a mess going into CL qualifiers. Only so long the fans will continue to back the club under this board. Already heard a number of players saying Celtic didn’t come back etc."
Credit: @MarkFeely6
"today is a sad day."
Credit: @tmcc67
"Mental we let him go and a team like Gent obviously see something in him."
Credit: @danjd_
"Bitterly disappointed"
Credit: @ScottMcb7
"sold the wrong striker Celtic"
Credit: @patrykklimala
"What is the plan here? Get papped early from the CL & Europa qualifiers and try and scrape into that Conference thing? What are we doing?"
Credit: @EtienneBojan

In other news: Well-placed source claims 'outstanding' ace is now keen on Celtic move; contact has been made, find out more here.