“The Pape who left was a child. I come back being a man. In September 2017 Pape Cheikh said goodbye, moved and in tears, to the club of his loves in the press room of Abanca Balaídos. Two years later, on the same stage, the skyblue showed again his Celta passion but, on this occasion, with a big smile on his face: “I have always carried this club in my heart. I’m going to do my best,” he told the media in his first words at the official presentation.
The midfielder was accompanied by counselor Fernando Rodilla and sports director Felipe Miñambres, who gave the institutional welcome to “The Panther”. “There was no need to convince me,” said Cheikh, “I wanted to come home and, even though it was difficult, that was all I could think about. Several hundred fans gave him a warm welcome, dressed in the kit for the traditional photo shoot on the Abanca Balaídos turf. The young footballer gave himself to the Celtists who were present, whom he attended with affection and gratitude.
Pape Cheikh will play the 2019/20 season in RC Celta on loan from Olympique Lyon. The Vigo club has an option to purchase at the end of this season.
