ALASHKERT have been dealt a blow ahead of their Champions League qualifier against Celtic after defender Dino Skvorc departed the club.

The 28-year-old has joined Hungarian outfit Honved with just five days to go until the first qualifying round clash in Yerevan. 

Skvorc played a key role in the second half of Alashkert's Armenian title win last season, making 11 appearances after joining from Ankaran in February.

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But the club confirmed on Friday that he has departed on a free transfer.

A statement said: "We have reached an agreement to allow Dino to leave the club.

"We would like to wish him all the best in his future career."

The former Croatia Under-21 internationalist was offered a contract by Neil Lennon's Celtic in 2010 following a successful trial, but the deal fell through due to the financial demands made by his club NK Varazdin. 

Skvorc has since gone on to have spells with clubs in Belgium, Israel, Cyprus, Romania, Moldova and Slovenia. 

Celtic travel to the Armenian capital next Wednesday to face Alashkert in the first leg of their qualifier, before the return leg takes place a week later in Glasgow.