BRENDAN RODGERS has welcomed the opportunity to reunite with Kasper Schmeichel as the Celtic boss prepares for the new season.
The Danish international keeper, 37, has signed a one-year contract with a 12-month option at the champions and will take over as successor to the retiring Joe Hart.
Rodgers and Schmeichel were together at Leicester City when they won the English FA Cup in 2021 and the Irishman is confident they will be enjoying more silverware success on this side of the border.
The Hoops gaffer, speaking to the club website, admitted: “I am really pleased to bring Kasper to Celtic. He is a real quality keeper and someone with the ability and personality to be great for us.
GLOVE STORY…Kasper Schmeichel during his Leicester City days.
“He is a guy I trust and someone who knows how to win. He lives for football and he is coming to a club where he will feel the same passion that he has for the game.
“I know he will feel right at home at Celtic and we look forward to working with him as we all aim for more success.”
Schmeichel will catch up with his new team-mates during their three-game tour with the players getting ready for the opening encounter against DC United in Washington in the early hours of Sunday.
Rodgers may not risk his latest recruits in that outing, but he will get the opportunity to get into his stride against one of his former clubs, Manchester City, on Wednesday and Chelsea a week tomorrow.
The giant shotstopper will be in place when the Premiership kicks off against Kilmarnock at Parkhead a fortnight on Sunday when a packed stadium of 60,000 fans will celebrate Flag Day while welcoming the new Bhoy to the club.
EURO STAR…Kasper Schmeichel on international duty with Denmark.
Schmeichel joins as a free agent after leaving Anderlecht after just one year. He signed a short-term contract after quitting French outfit Nice last summer.
The 105 times-capped netminder, as reported by CQN earlier today, said: “I am absolutely delighted to join Celtic and can’t wait to get started.
“Celtic is one of the world’s proper football clubs, a massive name and a place of real passion and success. Celtic is what football is all about.”
