HOOPS UNVEIL FIFTH SIGNING

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND Under-19 international striker Jonathan Afolabi has agreed a two-year deal at Celtic to become Neil Lennon’s fifth summer signing.

The teenager knocked back an extension from Southampton to make the switch to the eight-in-a-row champions.

Afolabi was in the crowd at Parkhead yesterday to see the Hoops overcome Championship side Dunfermline 2-1 in extra-time to struggle through to the League Cup quarter-finals.

The exciting 19-year-old prospect five times for the south coast outfit in the EFL Trophy but never featured in the Premier League.

He also played a key role as the the Irish Under-19s reaching the semi-finals of this summer’s European Championships in Armenia.

Lennon, speaking to Sky Sports News, said: “He’s a young lad from Southampton and we have signed him on a free transfer.

“We will have a look at him over the next few weeks then decide what we want to do with him in terms of where his progression is.

“He had a great tournament in the Euros. You feel he’s raw, but has good potential.”

So far the Hoops boss has spent almost £12million in his squad rebuild in bringing in centre-half Christopher Jullien, £7million from Toulouse, left-back Boli Bolingoli, £3million from Rapid Vienna, defender Hatem Abd Elhamed, £1.2million from Hapoel Be’er Sheva, and midfielder Luca Connell, £450,000 from Bolton.

Lennon has promised more signings for the Parkhead outfit before the transfer deadline a fortnight tomorrow.