Crosas's career has been on ice with Celtic for much of this season

Marc Crosas has left Celtic to join Russian top-flight club Volga Nizhny Novgorod, subject to paperwork.

The 23-year-old Spaniard arrived at Celtic from Barcelona in 2008 but has not been a regular under Neil Lennon.

And he has said on social networking site Twitter: "I'm officially a FC Volga player until December 2014.

"I've spent the best three years of my life playing for Celtic and I'll never forget that. It's been an honour wearing the hoops."

Crosas, who is a former Spain Under-21 international, had already been on loan to French outfit Lyon before joining Celtic for a fee of around £400,000 rising to £1.6m depending on appearances.

I've left as a player, but not as a fan Celtic midfielder Marc Crosas

Barcelona retained a £1.6m buy-back option but did not exercise that last summer.

Crosas made 52 appearances for Celtic - and was voted the Scottish Premier League club's young player of the season in 2009.

However, only three of those games came this season under manager Lennon and he has played just once since October.

Volga were promoted to Russia's Premier League last year and, although Crosas will look to help them in their forthcoming 2011 campaign, the midfielder insists he will retain an affection for Celtic.

"I've left as a player, but not as a fan," he added.

Celtic have confirmed that Crosas is poised to depart but have not revealed a fee.

"As a football player, all I want is to play and now it's time for me to move to another club and another league," the midfielder added on Celtic's website.

"My job is to play football and, as much as I love this club, I need to play."

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