CELTIC's hopes of bringing Filip Benkovic back to Parkhead appear to be all but over following reports that the centre-half has agreed to join Belgian outfit OH Leuven on loan for the rest of the season.

The Croatian defender previously spent the 2018/19 campaign on a season-long deal at Parkhead before returning to Leicester, where he has struggled for game time.

The 23-year-old was sent out on loan to Cardiff City this year before being recalled to the King Power Stadium with a view to finding the defender a new club.

Glasgow Times:

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Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers said earlier this week that he was considering sending Benkovic back to the Premiership champions this month but that prospect now looks very distant.

The Daily Mail report that Benkovic is on the verge of joining Leuven on loan until the end of the season - as Neil Lennon was "unsure" if he should bring the defender back to Parkhead.

Midfielder Andy King, who was on the books at Rangers last season and worked alongside Benkovic at Leicester, joined Leuven last week and it is believed he will help his old team-mate settle in at his new club.