NEW Bhoy Joel van den Berg is determined to show the Celtic supporters “the best version” of himself after sealing his £3.4million four-year switch from PSV Eindhoven.
The 19-year-old midfielder joined the influx of newcomers as Martin O’Neill strengthens his squad for the challenges at home and abroad.
Van den Berg is eager to get started in his new career and said: “It feels amazing and I’m very excited to start, to meet the rest of the team and to train with them and, obviously, I want to play many games and show myself to the fans.
“I want to show the best version of myself and develop as a player and also as a person, of course, and just make the fans proud.
“I’m a box-to-box midfielder. I put a lot of intensity in my game. I also have the ability to provide assists and score goals.”
COME IN No.35…new Bhoy Joel van den Berg holds his Celtic shirt.
Van den Berg, speaking to CelticPlayer, continued: “I have a lot of power in the duels, have good physicality, so I’m strong.
“I think that describes me as a midfielder.
“Celtic is a very big club and they have to be champions. So, playing for the champions is, I think at this age, a very big step for me and very important.”
Boss O’Neill added: “We are really pleased to bring Joel to the club.
“He is a hungry young player with real talent and technical ability and I believe he has a very exciting future ahead of him.
“I think he is a player that our fans will enjoy watching and I know he will be an important addition to our squad.”
Van den Berg signed his first professional contract with PSV in 2023 and made his first-team debut last season against FC Groningen, going on to make five appearances in the Rotterdam club’s title-winning campaign.
Celtic fans got their first glimpse of two other new signings as O’Neill’s men romped to a 3-0 victory over Aberdeen at rain-lashed Parkhead last night.
With the team easing to three points courtesy of goals from Camilo Duran, Benjamin Nygren and Yang Hyun-jun, the Hoops gaffer took the opportunity to give second-half debuts to midfielder Oliver Sorensen and teenage striker Shim Mhueka.
Both showed promise of exciting times ahead.
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