Celtic midfielder Nir Bitton commits future to Scottish champions
Tuesday 3 November 2015 14:18, UK
Celtic midfielder Nir Bitton has signed a new contract which ties him to the Scottish champions until the summer of 2020.
The deal ends speculation over the Israel international's future after he was linked with moves to English Premiership sides Arsenal and Sunderland.
The 24-year-old, who has been capped 16 times by his country, has scored six goals in 82 appearances for the Hoops since joining for £700,000 from FC Ashdod in the summer of 2013.
Speaking to the club's official website, Bitton, one of Celtic's most consistent performers this season, said: "As soon as I got a new offer from Celtic I had no questions about signing. When you play for a club like Celtic you don't think twice.
"It's a huge club, the best fans in the world and Celtic Park is one of the best stages in Europe so I'm just delighted to extend my stay here. Celtic is a special club and every time I go to the pitch I get goosebumps.
"As a player, when you get the trust of a club it gives you confidence and you appreciate it. You just want to give that back as much as you can and like I say, when you play here you don't think twice. I enjoy every minute at Celtic and my wife is very happy here so there was never any need for change. This is where I want to be.
"I have a great relationship with the manager and the backroom staff at Celtic who have all been magnificent with me and I have a group of team-mates who I respect so highly.
"I am so pleased to commit my long-term future to Celtic and I now look forward to doing everything I can to bring the club and our fans more and more success."
