Morten Wieghorst has left Celtic to return to Denmark where he has signed a three-year contract with Brondby.

The Dane turned down Celtic's offer of a one-year extension to his contract in favour of returning home where his chances of regular first-team football are greater.

The midfielder has played only a handful of first-team games under Martin O'Neill after recovering from the rare brain disease Guillain-Barr� Syndrome.

Wieghorst told Celtic's official website he had many tremendous years at Celtic, and thanked the manager, players and backroom staff for the support they had given him during his illness.

Considerable contribution

"This has been a very difficult decision for me to take, and it took some time to arrive at it," he said.

A spokesman for the club told the website: "We were pleased to offer Morten another year at Celtic Park, but we understand his decision to go back to Denmark and accept a three-year deal at Brondby.

"It is a great credit to Morten that he fought back in so determined a fashion after his recent illness, returning to full fitness. His recovery brought delight to everyone at Celtic Park.

"We thank Morten for his considerable contribution to Celtic, both on and off the park, and we wish him and his family the greatest of success for the future."