Celtic have announced the signing of Marco Tilio on a five-year deal subject to international clearance; forward scored nine goals in the A-League last season for Melbourne City; Brendan Rodgers has already signed Odin Thiago Holm since returning to the club
Friday 30 June 2023 11:52, UK
Celtic have announced the signing of Australia international Marco Tilio from Melbourne City.
The 21-year-old winger has agreed a five-year deal at Celtic Park and becomes the second signing of Brendan Rodgers' second spell at the club.
Tilio, who follows a host of Australians to pull on the green and white hoops, told Celtic TV: "I'm ecstatic that I'm coming over to Europe, coming to such a big club and team, and I'm super-excited.
"I hope to bring all my qualities, take on players in and around the box, help the team contribute to goals with assists and hopefully put a few in the back of the net as well.
"It's an amazing opportunity for myself and having seen Aussies go over there and do well at such a prestigious club, it's a massive opportunity for myself that I couldn't deny.
"And being around those guys, Aaron Mooy and Tommy Rogic, in the national team camp over recent years, obviously helped make my decision easier."
Tilio joined Melbourne three years ago from Sydney FC but always had his sights on a move to Europe.
He added: "It's always been a plan ever since I moved over to Melbourne three years ago.
"It was my plan to go over and do well, and hopefully proceed to go on to different and bigger and better things, and now I think is the time for me to come over to Europe and really challenge myself.
'And I'm really excited with the opportunity I have to come to this club and hopefully I put my best foot forward and play some good football.'
"I think it's a massive opportunity to be a part of a team that plays in the Champions League, and have a winning mentality in bringing trophies. I think that's important.
"And as a player that's what you want to be a part of and what you want to do is win trophies, win games. For me it's always been about that here in Australia and I want to come over there and do the same thing."
Tilio, who will make the journey from Down Under to Scotland in the next week, joins Odin Thiago Holm as the second summer arrival at the club.
Sky Sports News understands the club's board will back Brendan Rodgers in the transfer market to help him deliver domestic success and compete in the Champions League.
Celtic have already signed midfielder Odin Thiago Holm on a five-year deal, as he became Rodgers' first signing since returning to Glasgow and the Parkhead boss is keen more follow.
"It's a good time to strengthen whenever you have done well," he said. "It's not going to be lots of numbers.
"Over the last couple of years they have built a squad, so it's a case of developing that and adding quality where we can. I'm really excited with the players here because it's a young squad and there's still a lot of growth in that."
Celtic players will return for pre-season training at the club's Lennoxtown base before jetting out to Japan on tour in July.
Ange Postecoglou's former club Yokohama F Marinos will be their first opponents on July 19 followed by a match against Gamba Osaka on July 22.
Rodgers' side then head to South Korea where they will play Wolves at the Suwon World Cup Stadium on July 26.
Champions Celtic begin their title defence at home to Ross County in the opening game of the 2023/24 Scottish Premiership season on Saturday August 5, live on Sky Sports.
Brendan Rodgers has been handed fixtures against Ross County, Aberdeen and St Johnstone in his first month back at Celtic Park as he attempts to emulate Ange Postecoglou's treble-winning exploits of last season.
Celtic travel to Ibrox on September 3 for the first Old Firm match of the season, with Rangers travelling to Parkhead on December 30 - both games will be live on Sky Sports - before a third meeting between the Glasgow rivals on April 6.
Who will be on the move this summer when the transfer window opens on June 14 and closes at 11pm on September 1 in England and midnight in Scotland?
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