After a protracted transfer saga that lasted all the way until the English deadline day, Kieran Tierney has finally been unveiled as an Arsenal player.
The Scotland star has completed his move from Celtic for a fee thought to be around £25m.
He’s signed a long-term deal at the Premier League side and will wear the number 3 shirt.
He's here…
Welcome to The Arsenal, @kierantierney1 ?
??????? #TimeForTierney pic.twitter.com/oGJQ5BIIrY
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 8, 2019
Tierney, who has captained both the Hoops and Scotland, leaves behind his boyhood club to join the Gunners.
He first signed for Celtic at the age of just seven and made 170 appearances for the club.
But now, having won an unprecedented treble treble with the club, the 22-year-old has moved on to a new challenge.
Tierney has made just nine appearances in 2019 due to injury, undergoing a double hernia operation this summer.
Arsenal boss Unai Emery told the club’s website: “We’re delighted Kieran is joining us. He’s a very talented player who will continue to improve. He increases our options defensively and I look forward to him joining our group.”
Kieran Tierney to Arsenal: Celtic boss Neil Lennon hopes £25m fee will be reinvested in squad
A statement from Celtic wished the player well, saying: “We did all we could to keep Kieran at Celtic. While the club did not need or wish to sell Kieran, this was an opportunity which Kieran very much wished to pursue and with the club having received a significant offer, we have agreed to the transfer.
“Kieran has been a big part of the club for a number of years, coming through our Academy structure and becoming a key first team player of real quality.
“He has made a significant contribution to Celtic and we thank him very much for all he has given to the club and, of course, we wish him very well for the future in his career.”
Celtic Manager Neil Lennon said: “This is an opportunity Kieran wanted to take and while we will be sad to see him leave the club, we wish Kieran all the very best for the future.
“Although he is still a young guy, Kieran has given the club so much. He’s a great lad and I’ve really enjoyed working with him. I’m sure he will continue to progress and develop and make a big impact in the English Premiership.
“It has obviously been a long process, but now it has been finalised we can now look ahead and concentrate on continuing to build our own squad and meet the many challenges ahead, domestically and in Europe.
“We had a really good performance and result last night at a difficult venue and I would like to thank our fans for travelling to Romania and supporting us so well. Yet again, the team had such great support in Europe and we are hugely grateful for that.
“We look ahead to next week with confidence but of course realise we still have a lot of work to do against a very good team.”
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