Welcome to Celtic Dedryck

CELTIC have this afternoon completed the signing of Belgian central defender Dedryck Boyata from Manchester City on a 4 year deal. Celtic have paid Manchester City a fee of £1.5M for the player who will replace Jason Denayer in the heart of the Celtic defence.

Speaking after signing with the 4IAR champions, a delighted Boyata revealed that Celtic manager Ronny Deila’s sales pitch for Celtic plus a recommendation from John Guidetti helped sway him towards traveling north to play for Celtic.

“I’m really pleased to have joined Celtic” said Dedryck who is looking forward to the challenges ahead playing in those famous Hoops.

“Having the challenge at Celtic is the big one for me now but I’m joining a massive club.

“I know how big Celtic is and I have seen the big players here. From the first moment, the opportunity to come here made me happy.

“John Guidetti told me it was a great club and told me the fans are unbelievable.”

Clearly the impressive career development enjoyed by his former City teammate Jason Denayer while at Celtic has not been missed on Boyata who recognized that his time at City was coming to a close.

“Jason Denayer is someone I was following and I was really happy for him. I would like a similar season as he had.

“It has been a few frustrating years for me. As a footballer you want to play as much as possible.

“We agreed at City that it was the time for me to go and I had to go and find a new challenge.

Both Guidetti and Denayer left Glasgow with a League and Cup winners medal together with plenty of European memories and Boyata is anticipating with some relish being able to enjoy more of the same at Parkhead.

“I’m looking to win as many titles as possible and qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

“I spoke with the manager a couple of times and the plans he had for me sounded really good.

“He said he needed a centre back that could replace Jason and play football from the back.

“After that he told me about where he came from, the players he’s had and I knew a few of them. They told me the kind of manager he is.

“I was really pleased by what they had to say.

“I’ve never had the chance to go on the pitch in the Champions League so for me it’s important.”

Welcome to Celtic Dedryck.