Former Arsenal and Liverpool star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has signed a short-term deal with Scottish giants Celtic following a period training with the north London side
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has completed a switch to Celtic(Image: Getty Images)
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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has claimed that Celtic are a ‘perfect fit’ for him after signing for the Scottish giants. The former Arsenal and Liverpool star was previously in talks with the Hoops regarding a move north of the border.
And his switch to Celtic has now been confirmed, with Oxlade-Chamberlain having penned a deal with the club until the end of the season with the option of a further campaign.
“It’s been a busy few days but I’m delighted and really excited,” he said once the deal was made official. “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.”
Meanwhile, Celtic boss Martin O’Neill said: “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.
“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.”
Martin O'Neill
Martin O'Neill has explained why Celtic have signed Oxlade-Chamberlain(Image: Getty Images)
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Oxlade-Chamberlain, 32, joins a Celtic side sitting third in the Scottish Premiership and six points behind current leaders Hearts, albeit having played a game less. His move signals a return to football following a few months without a club.
He was most recently with Turkish side Besiktas but left in the summer having had his contract cancelled. The midfielder has since been training with former club Arsenal in an effort to keep up his fitness.
Oxlade-Chamberlain previously spent six years with the Gunners after joining from Southampton in 2011. He went on to make 198 appearances for the north London side ahead of a move to Liverpool. The midfielder has to date earned 35 caps for England, the last one coming in 2019.
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