Dedryck Boyata joins Celtic from Manchester City
Tuesday 2 June 2015 16:57, UK
Celtic have signed defender Dedryck Boyata from Manchester City on a four-year contract.
The 24-year-old Belgian will replace fellow-countryman Jason Denayer at the heart of the champions' defence after he returned to the Etihad following a season-long loan deal at Parkhead.
Boyata, who has had two seasons on loan at Bolton and FC Twente since joining City from FC Brussels in July 2009, figured in just two league games for Manuel Pellegrini's side last season.
In a statement on Celtic's website, the club said: "Celtic are delighted to announce the signing of Belgian international Dedryck Boyata.
"The 24-year-old defender becomes manager Ronny Deila's first signing of the close season and will join up with his new team-mates later this month when they report back for pre-season training ahead of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers."
And speaking exclusively to Celtic TV after signing his contract, Boyata, who will wear No 20, said: "It feels really good. Celtic are a very big club and it feels good to be part of it.
'Challenge'
"The manager came to see me in Manchester and I spoke to him about having me here and all the ideas he had for me playing for the team.
"So I was very pleased with his plans and from that point I thought that moving to Glasgow would be a good idea and we tried to do everything right for me to move here."
And Boyata is keen to make the same impact former team-mate Denayer made when he arrived at the start of the season.
Denayer, who won the Premiership and Scottish League Cup during his 12 months at Parkhead, was named PFA Scotland Young Player of the Season last month.
"I knew Jason when he came through the reserve team at City," said Boyata. "He is someone that I follow and I think he had a really good season last year
"Hopefully I am going to do the same thing, and have a similar season. I am really pleased to have a new challenge with a massive club. It was a big opportunity and I am really delighted.
"The reason I joined Celtic is they have a good plan for me. The manager told me he needed a centre back to replace Jason, who could play football, bring the ball from the back and win headers.
"Celtic are getting a strong defender who is quick and who has ability on the ball."
