CELTIC new Bhoy Viljami Sinisalo is standing by to make a quickfire Celtic debut against DC United in Washington in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The Finnish international keeper had just penned a five-year contract after the £1million switch from Aston Villa before being whisked off with his new team-mates for the three-game tour of The States.
Sinisalo admits he can’t wait to get started as the 22-year-old netminder prepares for life at Brendan Rodgers’ champions.
The three times capped No.1 said: “It’s been on the cards for a little while and it’s nice to get it done.
“It feels amazing. It’s an opportunity I can’t turn down and it’s something I was looking forward to as soon as I heard of the interest.
WELCOME TO PARADISE…Celtic new Bhoy Viljami Sinisalo after signing five-year deal. Image courtesy Celtic TV.
“I’ve been told about a project for myself and for the football club and I’m excited to join that.
“Hopefully, the fans can see a lot more of me over the next couple of years. It’s a project that’s got me here and I’m really excited for it.”
Sinisalo joined the Midlands club as a 16-year-old prospect and has already played in Scotland during a loan spell at Ayr United where he made 22 appearances in 2020.
He has also experienced a temporary transfer at Burton Albion and spent the whole of last season at Exeter City, managed by ex-Hoops captain and centre-back Gary Caldwell.
Sinisalo won multiple Player of the Year awards at the third-tier club before returning to Villa last month.
The towering shostopper, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “Exeter is a brilliant football club and I can’t speak highly enough about it.
GETTING SHIRTY…Viljami Sinisalo speaks about his “amazing” move to Celtic TV.
“I went in there as a young goalkeeper and played 50 games of men’s football which is really important at such a young age. I learned a lot.
“There were a lot of positives that came from that and the thing is, without Exeter and Gary Caldwell, I probably wouldn’t be sitting here now.
“He’s only had good things to say about Celtic. I spoke to him and he said I’m joining a wonderful football club, I’ll be looked after and it’s special.
“I know it’s a huge football club and it’s really exciting to be part of something so big.”
Looking forward to working with Hoops gaffer Rodgers, Sinisalo added: “It’s not often you work under great managers such as him.
“I talked to him and the way he spoke about me, how much I felt like he wanted me here, that was what really drew me to come here.
“I can’t speak highly enough of him and I’m really excited to work under him.”
Denmark’s legendary Kasper Schmeichel is also on his way as Joe Hart’s replacement and Rodgers expects the deal to be rubberstamped soon.
Scott Bain is also available to add competition for the No.1 position while Benji Siegrist’s days are numbered without the Swiss shotstopper, signed on a free from Dundee United, failing to make a Premiership appearance in his two years at the club.
As well as DC United at the weekend, Celtic will play Manchester City on Wednesday and wrap up the trip against Chelsea a week on Saturday.
