NEW Bhoy Carl Starfelt has spoken about the “honour” he feels as he follows fellow-Swedes in wearing the green and white hoops of Celtic.
The 26-year-old central defender will meet his new team-mates tomorrow for the first time following his £4.5million four-year deal from Russian club Rubin Kazan.
Starfelt is obviously aware of the everlasting impact of Henrik Larsson on the Parkhead side after arriving in one of the best deals in the club’s history, a bargain £650,000 from Feyenoord in July 1997. The following season, the talismanic striker was joined by Johan Mjallby as the club headed for a new era with Martin O’Neill taking over as manager in the summer of 2000.
The Swedish international defender, who will wear the No.4 jersey, is hoping to hit the ground running and, depending on his fitness levels, could make a quickfire first-team appearance against Hearts at Tynecastle on Saturday night, as CQN reported yesterday.
Starfelt, speaking on the club website, said: “It is a massive honour for me to join Celtic, one of Europe’s great football clubs. I know how special Celtic is and I know what the club means to so many millions of people. This is a great moment and move in my career and it is one I will really cherish.
“The footballing world knows all about Celtic, the scale of the club, our brilliant supporters and it is humbling and so exciting to now be part of this great institution
“A number of my own countrymen have had the privilege of pulling on the famous green and white Hoops and now it will be a massive honour for me to follow in their footsteps and wear this jersey.
“I look forward to getting down to work as soon as possible, to meeting my new team-mates, our supporters and to do all I can to bring success to my new club. I can’t wait to get working and be a part of such a great club.”
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