Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has opened up on his summer wedding to Little Mix star Perrie Edwards and how she backed his new Celtic contract, even wearing the Hoops shirt at TRNSMT before he had signed
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is staying at Celtic
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is staying at Celtic(Image: Getty Images)
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's famous wife set tongues wagging this summer when she appeared at the TRNSMT festival sporting a Celtic shirt.
The midfielder had yet to put pen to paper on a new Parkhead deal at that stage – but he was confident he would once again be donning the green and white Hoops. Oxlade-Chamberlain and his long-term partner, Little Mix star Perrie Edwards, exchanged vows in June, while the former Arsenal and Liverpool stalwart pledged his future to Celtic just a few weeks later.
The 32-year-old has since admitted that neither momentous decision was ever really in question. Oxlade-Chamberlain said: "My wife endorses the move, for sure. Even if I hadn't signed, she would have worn the shirt at TRNSMT.
"I did warn her it was a risky move! She didn't want to listen. There was no sitting on the fence, we've picked our side.
"I kind of knew I'd end up signing, so told her to crack on and enjoy herself. She was always going to wear it.
"The lead up to the wedding was probably more stressful than anything I've done in the last 10 years! It all went smoothly, which was great. You have the stresses of football, but then that takes over."
Oxlade-Chamberlain is married to Perrie Edwards
Oxlade-Chamberlain is married to Perrie Edwards(Image: Instagram/perrieedwards)
Oxlade-Chamberlain is equally at ease on the pitch, having completed a full preseason following several summers blighted by injury and uncertainty. The creative midfielder arrived last January after spending six months without a club following his departure from Besiktas, and believes he is now returning to his very best form.
He said: "It's definitely helped being in. I worked it out, I hadn't really done a preseason for the last three years for different circumstances.
"Last year, there was obviously terminating the contract at Besiktas when I did and not going into Arsenal until the October or November. The year before was in and out with Besiktas with the transfer window and how things are out there.
"So I've not had a proper one for a while, and it was something I definitely needed.
"Coming into a season halfway through is swings and roundabouts. You get to the end, and you still feel mentally fresh.
"But ultimately, for fitness, it's better to be in with the team for preseason, working on fitness and the tactical stuff. I'm glad I've done it.
"I feel good to go. Everyone is ready. We've done the work that needs to be done in preseason.
"It definitely goes up a level when the competitive games start, and the first few games help build into the season. But you have to be ready for the jump up in intensity. We will be."