Carl Starfelt has encountered significant challenges off the pitch following his move to Spanish club Celta Vigo.
The Swedish defender, who joined Celta Vigo after a successful two-year stint with Celtic, has been battling a mystery illness that forced him to miss several La Liga matches.
The root cause of his health issues turned out to be a mold infestation in his apartment, which led to recurrent sickness and respiratory problems.
Starfelt’s discovery of mold in multiple areas of his flat, including the bathroom, living room, and terrace, prompted him to move out and seek accommodation in a hotel, where he has been living for the past six weeks.
He said: [SunSport] “In the beginning I got sick all the time, four or five times a month.
“I was very tired, had trouble breathing through my nose and things like that. It wasn’t a fun period.”
I tried to figure out what it was. I changed my diet, my sleep and all that kind of stuff.
“But then I managed to identify it.
“There was a hole in the roof.
“And it’s already damp in Vigo.
“So it would probably have got more moisture in there, and become very mouldy.
“It was new, like nothing I had experienced before.
“Now I’m living in a hotel, and have been doing so for the last month and a half.
“It feels much better. I have made a full recovery.
“I won’t move back there, even if the mould is removed. I’ll see if I can find something else.
“Otherwise I’ll stay in a hotel for the rest of the season.”
Despite these personal struggles, Starfelt has continued to impress on the field for Celta Vigo.
He’s been a big miss for Celtic this season, the quality and consistency he brought to the back line has been highlighted by Celtic struggles this season.
He was a key player in securing five trophies, including a treble last season.
