Republic of Ireland under-19 striker Jonathan Afolabi says he's "thrilled" to sign for Scottish champions Celtic and has vowed to prove his worth at the club.
He's signed a three-year contract with the Hoops after being released by Southampton this summer and links up with his Ireland teammates Barry Coffey and Luca Connell at Parkhead.
The Tallaght teenager says they've been helping him settle in:
“It’s been great so far. This is a big move for me and everything has been going well so far. The boys have been very welcoming, the fans have been great as well, and I’m delighted to be part of this family now. I can’t wait to drive forward from here," he told Celtic's official website.
“I know Luca Connell from when we travelled to Russia to play in the European Qualifiers for the Ireland Under-19s, and I likewise know Barry Coffey from the international set-up too.”
Afolabi had a number of offers this summer but he says it was a simple choice to join Neil Lennon's side:
“Celtic is just a stand-out team for me, and they have a great reputation of bringing youngsters from the Academy through the ranks. This is a great club, with a great history, and a great place for me to be a part of. I look forward to helping out in the seasons ahead.
“The club has great facilities, and a great winning mentality, which is what I want to be a part of. My goal here is to be part of a winning squad, adopt that winning mentality, and learn from the boys. If I can learn from the senior players, I’ll hopefully have the chance to play in front of these great fans.
“With such a talented pool of players, it’s going to take time and hard work to break in, to prove myself to the manager and the dressing room – but that’s something I would have to do anyway. Hopefully I can get a bit of time on the pitch in the future to showcase what I’ve got.”
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