ADAM IDAH is on his way back to Celtic after a deal rising to £9.5million was agreed with Norwich City.
The Hoops will pay an initial £8.5million with £1million to follow in add-ons. The Championship outfit also insisted in a 15 per cent share of any future transfer.
All that is required now is for the champions and the Republic of Ireland striker to settle on the finer details of the five-year contract, according to a report in Sky Sports.
Idah, 23, is standing by to make his second Hoops debut in the Premier Sports League Cup-tie against Hibs at Parkhead on Sunday.
HOOP HOOP HOORAY…Adam Idah leaves Jack Butland sprawling as he thumps in the Scottish Cup winner at Hampden on May 25.
Brendan Rodgers – and the Celtic fans – will be delighted the protracted deal has finally reached a conclusion.
With the Carrow Road club playing hardball and knocking back at least two previous offers, the Hoops had other names in mind to support Kyogo Furuhashi.
However, it was clear Idah was their preferred choice and the powerhouse attack-leader, despite still having four years to run on his terms in East Anglia, made no secret of his desire to return to the east end of Glasgow.
The Cork-born forward left Celtic on a high on the iconic date of May 25 after scoring the Scottish Cup Final winner – his ninth strike in 19 appearances – against Philippe Clement’s Ibrox side.
Idah, who arrived in his temporary switch on January deadline day, also played his part in Celtic winning their third successive title as they stormed to the finishing line with an eight-point advantage.
Negotiations between the club have been intense in recent days and it looked as though the Hoops had targeted a figure of around the £6million mark with add-ons lifting the fee to a level that would be acceptable for the Norfolk club, as CQN reported last week.
THAT’S MY BHOY…Brendan Rodgers congratulates matchwinner Adam Idah at Hampden in the last game of the season.
But with the August 30 transfer cut-off fast approaching, Celtic agreed the higher fee for a player identified by the manager as a priority signing.
The instant fans’ favourite is likely to make his second debut at some stage of the game against the Easter Road club at the weekend.
Kyogo had to be helped off the pitch against the Edinburgh side in the champions’ 2-0 Premiership victory in Leith on Sunday.
The Japanese hitman’s persistent shoulder problem flared again to force him out of the action in the 74th minute.
It was imperative Celtic added strength to the attack – and Idah has answered the call.
