Former Rangers defender David Bates has signed for Cercle Brugge on a season-long loan from Hamburg [Cerclebrugge.be].
The 23-year-old made 28 appearances for the Gers between 2016 and 2018 before making an ambitious switch to Germany at the expiration of his contract.
Scotland international centre-back David Bates in action for Hamburg against Ingolstadt in December 2018. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)
He enjoyed a strong first campaign in the 2. Bundesliga but then fell out of favour and was sent on loan to EFL Championship club Sheffield Wednesday.
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Bates spent time on the treatment table when with the Owls and failed to force his way into the first-team thereafter, ensuring he returned to his parent club having made just a solitary appearance.
Daniel Thioune has recently taken over as Hamburg boss but it seems Bates still isn’t in the club’s plans and so he’s headed out to Cercle Brugge on another loan spell.
🤝 Welkom bij Cercle Brugge, @DavidBates_ !#levecercle #WEBEATASONE
🔥 https://t.co/ZPRJmnfQZO pic.twitter.com/ZeHv23QFcU
— Cercle Brugge (@cercleofficial) August 7, 2020
Cercle produced a remarkable run of four consecutive wins at the back end of the curtailed 2019/20 season to avoid relegation by the skin of their teeth and they clearly believe the addition of Bates will improve their leaky defence.
Former Rangers defender Bates has joined Cercle Brugge on a season-long loan deal from Hamburg. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
It’s an interesting move for the Scottish international, who will be looking to get regular game time under his belt in a bid to bring his career back on track.
The 2020/21 Pro League campaign gets underway on Saturday, with Bates and Cercle travelling to Standard Liege for a 6 pm kick-off.