West Brom’s sporting and technical director Luke Dowling has revealed that Oliver Burke’s loan move to Celtic does not include an option for the Glasgow club to sign the Scotland international on a permanent basis.
Highly rated 21-year-old winger Burke joined West Brom from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig in the summer of 2017, but he has struggled to establish himself at the Hawthorns and has made just three substitute appearances in the Championship this season.
Burke has joined Scottish Champions Celtic until the end of the season, although West Brom have been keen to stress that they still see the player as having a future with the Midlands club.
🆕📝 #WelcomeBurke #CelticFC have signed @OliverBurke55 on loan from West Bromwich Albion until the end of this season, subject to a medical. 🍀https://t.co/0EaeefnWlC
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 5, 2019
“To be fair to Oli, there have been a lot of changes at the club since his arrival which have not helped him. The opportunity to join a club of Celtic’s stature on loan was felt by everyone to be the best pathway to help develop his career,” Dowling told West Brom’s official website.
“Oli liked what Celtic had to offer and he has obviously got the opportunity to play on a great stage which should be of benefit to him. I would stress that there is no ‘option to buy’ clause at the end of the loan and he will be back with us at the end of the season.
“We will be keeping a close eye on his progress and still believe that in Oli we have a talented player who we are anxious to develop and progress.”