David Turnbull: Celtic sign midfielder from Motherwell
Turnbull is Celtic's third summer signing following the arrivals of Albian Ajeti and Vasilis Barkas
Thursday 27 August 2020 21:12, UK
Celtic have completed the signing of midfielder David Turnbull from Motherwell on a four-year deal.
Turnbull was on the verge of joining Celtic in June 2019 before his medical revealed a knee problem, which required him to have an operation and miss six months of football.
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The 21-year-old returned to first-team action in February and played twice before the 2019/20 season was ended prematurely by the coronavirus pandemic.
Turnbull has started all five league games of the new season for Motherwell, scoring one goal against Livingston.
His breakthrough season in 2018/19 saw him score 15 goals and be voted Scottish Football Writers' Young Player of the Year.
Turnbull has made two appearances for Scotland U21s, both coming before his injury in 2019.
He becomes Neil Lennon's third signing of the summer, following the arrivals of forward Albian Ajeti from West Ham and goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas from AEK Athens.
The fee, which is undisclosed, is a club-record for a player sold by Motherwell.
In a statement on Celtic's official club website, Turnbull said: "I'm absolutely delighted to be here, especially after what happened last year, and I'm ready to hit the ground running. I feel I've started well this season and I want to carry that on with Celtic.
"It's great to join the biggest club in Scotland and I want to help us win more silverware in what I know is an important season for Celtic."
Will Turnbull improve Celtic?
Kris Boyd on the Scottish Football Podcast:
"Will he bring something to Celtic? Of course he will. A 21-year-old, so the future is bright for him. But for me personally, what happened with his scan has helped him as it has allowed him to get back playing first-team football and get back up to speed.
"For the last couple of years without his injury he has deserved his move because on the pitch, he has shown what a talented footballer he is."
Lennon: Some players want to leave
Neil Lennon could not hide his frustration with his Celtic players after defeat to Ferencvaros ended their hopes of reaching the Champions League group stage.
Lennon also revealed after the match some players had spoken to him about a desire to leave the club during the transfer window. The Celtic boss said he would not stand in the way of anyone who wants to play elsewhere and insisted he only wanted players committed to the club in his squad.
"There are some players who may want to leave and have made in-roads into that over the past six months or so," he said. "If they don't want to be here then we'll have to do something about it.
"If they're making waves to leave the club then they're obviously not committed and I want players who are committed to the club."
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