Celtic great Henrik Larsson has revealed that a contract clause led to his Celtic move, which not many outside of Feyenoord would have known about.

He also described the Hoops as “my club” during an appearance on the Stick to Football podcast alongside Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Roy Keane and Ian Wright.

The Swedish striker, widely regarded as one of the greatest players ever to pull on the green and white hoops, reflected on his move to Glasgow in 1997, a transfer that would not only define his own career but also shape one of the most successful periods in Celtic’s modern history.

“Celtic is my club. It’s where I made my name. It’s where I became the player that you guys know,” Larsson said.

At the time, Larsson was on the books at Feyenoord, where opportunities were limited despite his obvious talent. A contract clause that maybe Wim Jansen shouldn’t have known about helped a move surface.

“I was at Feyenoord at the time and felt it was time for something new. At the time, going to the Scottish league was seen as a step back. Feyenoord had won the league the year before, but Ajax were so strong. I didn’t always play and wanted to play more.

“I had signed a new deal at Feyenoord, but I had a clause in my contract – a certain amount inside Holland and a certain amount outside. Wim Jansen, who had brought me to Holland originally, knew about it. Maybe he shouldn’t have known – but I’m happy he did, because that’s how I ended up at Celtic.”

Signed for just £650,000, Larsson went on to score an astonishing 242 goals in 315 appearances for Celtic, averaging better than a goal every 1.3 games. He won eight major honours with the club, including four league titles and two Scottish Cups, and famously fired Celtic to the 2003 UEFA Cup Final in Seville, scoring twice against Porto.

Larsson came agonisingly close to European Golden Shoe success in 2001 after scoring 35 league goals.

Under O’Neill, Larsson produced his most devastating football, combining elite-level finishing with selfless movement and relentless work-rate.

More than two decades on, Larsson’s connection to Celtic remains unbreakable. Any event involving him in Glasgow sells out instantly, his name still draws a roar from the stands and his legacy endures as the benchmark by which every Celtic striker is judged.