ADAM IDAH was smiles better when he sealed his £9.5million return to Celtic this evening.
The ball had been set rolling on the comeback with the news there had been a breakthrough after lengthy negotiations between the Hoops and Norwich City, as CQN reported yesterday.
Now the paperwork has been taken care of, the 23-year-old Republic of Ireland international striker is eager to take up where he left off during his short-term loan last season.
Idah netted nine goals in his 19 appearances with the last coming at Hampden on May 25 when he rammed in the Scottish Cup winner against Philippe Clement’s Ibrox outfit.
HOME, SWEET HOME…Adam Idah poses in the Parkhead dressing room. Image courtesy Celtic TV.
Brendan Rodgers insisted the powerhouse frontman was a priority target in this transfer window and the Cork-born forward has now put pen to paper on a five-year deal.
A beaming Idah said: “I think everyone knew where I wanted to be. I’m delighted to be back.
“Within the first couple of days of being here when I came on loan first time, I wanted to play for Celtic.
“It was amazing to get all of those goals and to be in with the boys and to see these amazing fans week in, week out was unbelievable.
“I’ve never experienced anything like it and I’m just so happy to be back.”
Idah, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “I always wanted to play for Celtic and obviously last season was amazing.
HAMPDEN HERO…the Celtic fans acknowledge Adam Idah after his Scottish Cup winner.
“To come here now and be fully a part of the team and a part of this club is amazing to me.
“Everyone back home, all my family and friends, they all wanted me to come back to Celtic, myself included, so it’s massive and I’m just so happy to be here.”
Hoops gaffer Rodgers added: “We are delighted to welcome Adam back to Celtic on a permanent basis and we are so pleased that he has agreed this new five-year contract with the club.
“The club has done brilliantly to secure this long-term deal. We are investing in a player of real quality who will be crucial for us over the next few years.
“He is a player who already has given us so much, performing fantastically for us on loan and really delivering for the club and our fans last season.
PUT IT THERE…Brendan Rodgers congratulates matchwinner Adam Idah at Hampden in May.
“He played a pivotal role in our success last year and I know he can be hugely important for us again.
“Adam has fantastic attributes and he is a dynamic, hungry, committed player who can make a real difference.
“Really importantly, Adam feels at home at Celtic, he has a love and passion for the club and I know he will be giving everything to once again bring our fans success.”
Idah could make his second Parkhead debut when the Hoops face Hibs in the Premier Sports League Cup in the east end of Glasgow on Sunday.
Coincidentally, the frontman claimed his first Celtic goals against the Edinburgh outfit when he trashed home two penalty-kicks in the champions’ last-gasp 2-1 Premiership triumph at Easter Road in February.
