New Celtic signing Vasilis Barkas has said he signed for the club as he wants to win a historic tenth league title in a row.
The Hoops confirmed this afternoon that the Greek international had signed a four-year contract with the Scottish champions, keeping him at Parkhead until 2024.
Following the announcement, Barkas said that he has ambitions of winning the title as well as sealing a place in this season’s Champions League group stages:
“I can’t wait to play for Celtic. Winning medals and trophies is why I came here. I want to win 10 in-a-row, and I want to help us get into the Champions League. That’s what I want.”
“The manager spoke to me about the club, the pressure here and that he wants us to be champions again. That’s one of the reasons I came here, and I think that him and I have a very good relationship so far.”
Celtic have paid an initial £4.5m to AEK Athens for Barkas, and they will pay an additional £900,000 in add-ons. The Greek side will also get 10% of any fee if the Hoops opt to sell the 26-year-old in the future.
The Greek shot-stopper’s arrival also ends any hopes that Fraser Forster will return to the club. The 32-year-old opted against moving to Celtic on a second season-long loan earlier this summer, and manager Neil Lennon has decided against waiting for the keeper by signing another number one instead.