Celtic confirm return of Kieran Tierney from Arsenal on five-year deal

Celtic have officially confirmed the signing of Kieran Tierney on a pre-contract deal from Arsenal.

The 28-year-old left-back is returning to Parkhead following six years with the London side who he signed for in a £25m deal in 2019.

He has signed a five-year deal with the Premiership champions that will keep him at the club until 2030.

During his time with the Gunners, he won the FA Cup and two Community Shields, as well as playing a part in their run to the Champions League semi-final in the season just past.

In 144 appearances, he scored six goals, including a strike in his final game for the club against Southampton last month.

In his first spell with the Hoops, he won four Premiership titles and was part of a historic treble-treble winning side under Brendan Rodgers and Neil Lennon between 2017 and 2019.

Celtic had initially hoped for Tierney to return in January, but Arsenal blocked the move as they pushed for trophies in England and Europe.

Mikel Arteta’s side finished the season without any silverware, but finished second in the English Premier League to Liverpool and were defeated by eventual winners PSG in a Champions League semi-final.

The Scotland international signed a pre-contract deal with the Premiership champions who have now confirmed his return.

Brendan Rodgers said: “We are delighted to welcome Kieran back to Celtic. He is such a talented, high-quality player and he will be a massive addition to our squad.

“Kieran has always had Celtic in his blood and he is excited to be coming back to the place he loves.

“He is someone who has given so much to Celtic already and I know he is so motivated and hungry to help the club bring more and more success to our fans.

“We are so pleased to bring such an elite player back to the club and I look forward to working with him again and the rest of the squad, as we face the many challenges ahead at home and in Europe.”

Tierney said it “feels amazing” to have the green and white hoops on again.

He said: “Everybody’s known for a few months and just to be here with the Celtic strip on again just feels amazing.

“I spoke with the manager, and obviously I had worked with him before and I’ve always kept in touch with him. He’s one of the best so I’m so lucky and grateful that he’s given me the chance to come back again.

“When you move away from home, you grow up, you learn different things. I was in Spain for a year, learning a different language and playing in a different league, so I’m definitely a different person.

“Player-wise, it’s the same as I always say – I’ll try and work my hardest, I’ll do my best for the club and that’s all I can do.

“My ambition is just for Celtic to be as successful as possible, retain our place at the top and continue to win trophies and do well for Celtic.”