Jack Aitchison leaves Celtic Park to sign for Barnsley on three-year deal
Tuesday 6 October 2020 13:37, UK
AC Milan left-back Diego Laxalt has joined Celtic on a season-long loan on Deadline Day.
The 27-year-old Uruguay international will spend the season with the Scottish champions. The clubs were not able to agree on a fee for an option-to-buy clause.
He completed his move to Scotland in Glasgow on Monday night after having a medical in London.
Laxalt's new manager Neil Lennon, speaking after he was named Scottish Premiership manager of the month for September, said: "I admire him very much. Watching him at the World Cup, I thought he had a very good tournament, playing in a very good Uruguayan team - great players and he looked very comfortable in that company.
"We've been tracking him for a long time. We tried to get him in this time last year, couldn't do it, but I've been a big admirer of his for a long time.
"To get that deal over the line is fantastic business from the board and the club. The player has made real positive signs to come here. He looks really happy to be here, having spoken to him last night.
"I think he will add more quality and inspiration to the team."
When asked if Laxalt would be available to face parent club AC Milan in the Europa League, Lennon added: "As far as I'm aware he will be and he will be ready for the Rangers game as well.
"He's been training, obviously he's not played much for Milan so far, but he's fit and he'll be available for the next games."
The Serie A club paid just over £13m for Laxalt when he signed from Genoa in 2018.
The Uruguay international has gone on to play 35 times for Milan but does not appear to be part of Stefano Pioli's plans this season and has not played a minute of the current campaign so far.
Greg Taylor was Celtic's only player in the position following the departure of Boli Bolingoli, who joined Istanbul Basaksehir on loan in September.
Bolingoli was allowed to depart after leaving Neil Lennon furious by breaching coronavirus rules in August.
The 25-year-old travelled to Spain without telling the club, and then played in a league game just days later when he should have been in quarantine.
Forward Jack Aitchison has left Celtic Park and signed for Championship club Barnsley on a three-year deal.
