Former Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlin has completed a move to Scottish Premiership title challengers Celtic on a deal until the end of the season.
The former Arsenal man moved to Anfield in 2017 and was part of the sides that won the Champions League and Premier League under Jurgen Klopp. He had some trouble with injury during his time on Merseyside but is fondly remembered for his contributions that also saw him pick up winners’ medals from triumphs in the League Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Advertisement
He has been a free agent for a number of months after his contract with Turkish club Beşiktaş was mutually terminated back in August. He has spent the last number of months training with Arsenal.
Celtic have now agreed to sign him until the end of the season but the deal does contain the option for a further 12 months.
The 32-year-old will be thrown straight into a title fight in the Scottish top-flight with Celtic third in the table behind Rangers and Hearts. They are six points adrift of the leaders and three behind Rangers but Martin O’Neill’s side do have a game in hand.
“We are really pleased to bring Alex to Celtic. He still has so much to offer the game, and I am sure he can add another dimension to us with his great ability and wealth of experience in the game,” Celtic manager O’Neill said.
“Above all, he is passionate and excited about this move himself so we are welcoming a great player who is hungry to help us achieve as much as we can.”
Oxlade-Chamberlin played with Andy Robertson at Liverpool. The Scotland captain spent time in the academy at Celtic before being released but the left-back still played a role in convincing him to make the move to the Scottish side.
“It’s been a busy few days but I’m delighted and really excited,” he said to Celtic TV. “Speaking with the manager, it just felt like the perfect fit for me and I feel like I can come in and help out the lads.
“Just talking to the manager, and Shaun Maloney as well, who told the expectations on the club and what it means to play here, what our targets are and that he’s going to push me.
“That’s all the stuff I identify with and that’s the environment I’ve always been in and been lucky enough to be in.
“It’s exactly what I need. I need another challenge and lucky enough at a massive club like this. And they can help me get back to where I need to get to and, more importantly, I need to help the team achieve the goals we want to do.”
Celtic beat Dundee 2-1 on Saturday afternoon in the Scottish Cup as Oxlade-Chamberlin was introduced to the crowd beforehand. He could make his debut on Wednesday when Celtic host Livingston in Glasgow.
Be the first to comment