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Sondre Orjasaeter, once a priority wide target for Celtic, has become the first player in Dutch football this century to register five assists in one game.
It’s just the second time this has been done in history. Feyenoord legend Coen Moulijn did it first in 1960; the winger would start in their European Cup final triumph against the Hoops a decade later.
Orjasaeter was targeted by Brendan Rodgers over multiple transfer windows. The Norwegian winger was destined to leave Sarpsborg at some point, and Celtic were one of his biggest admirers.
The Hoops made an offer last January, but when Jota became available via the deal to sell Kyogo Furuhashi, the Hoops’ attention was shifted. Now in Holland with FC Twente, he is flying.
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In action against Excelsior on Sunday, Twente hit the jackpot when opposition striker Nesto Groen was shown a red card after just five minutes. When Wout Weghorst scored the first goal shortly later, the floodgates opened.
By the half-time whistle, it was 5-0 to Twente and Orjasaeter had set up four. He made it five assists by providing for Jordy Bawuah just four minutes into the second period, and was substituted for ex-£22 million Marko Pjaca ten minutes later.
Perhaps the 22-year-old will be frustrated to be withdrawn with half an hour to play given the strong chance that he could have achieved an Eredivisie first. Lucas Vennegoor of Hesselink, son of ex-Celtic striker Jan, was brought on in his place.
Orjasaeter reflected on his reservations about moving to Celtic in December, telling De Twaalfde Man: “I don’t think the type of football played [at Celtic] suits me best.
“The Eredivisie has proven to be a very good platform for young players like me, and there are a lot of technically skilled players there.”
“I didn’t have much time to think about whether I wanted to go to FC Twente. Of course, I knew they were narrowly eliminated in the Europa League group stage last season against Bodø/Glimt. Everyone I spoke to about the club talked about the fans and how Twente played.”