MIKA BAUR completed his move to Celtic from Bundesliga club SC Paderborn this afternoon and promised he is ready for action.
The 22-year-old playmaker agreed a deal that could rise to £7million with add-ons and keep him at the champions for four years with the club holding the option for a further 12 months.
Baur trained with his new team-mates at Lennoxtown ahead of his first interview with CelticPlayer.
The Germany Under-21 international revealed the part a former Hoops hero played in the move and said: “I’m in the same agency as Nicolas Kuhn, so I called him to ask a couple of questions.
“He was so positive. He said: ‘If you have the chance, just do it.’
“He couldn’t explain it because he said you have to feel it, but he told me it was incredible. And after the call with him, I was sure.”
GETTING SHIRTY…Mika Baur is ready to go. Image courtesy CelticPlayer.
Baur has been signed in time to get involved in the Hoops’ Champions League qualifiers with the first leg due against LASK at Parkhead on Wednesday and in Austria six days later.
The middle-of-the-park performer is eager to sample that special atmosphere under the lights in the east end of Glasgow.
Baur continued: “I remember a Champions League night against Leipzig.
“I watched it on TV, on the couch at home, and you could feel it and see it, the emotions in the stadium. That’s what I’m here for.
“That’s why everyone is playing football. You want to play in big stadiums in front of a big crowd.
“It will be different, but I think I’m ready for it and I’m looking forward to it.”
Quizzed on what sort of player the Celtic fans can expect to see, Baur answered: “I think I can be a playmaker. I love to have the ball at my feet, always be there and not be scared to take it.
“I think I’m a player who is a very confident, a good technical player and I always leave my heart on the field. Everyone can expect that.
“I’ve had a good pre-season with good matches and tough training sessions, everything. So, I’m in good shape and I’m ready to go.”
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