Celtic sign 'excellent' star and rapid ace who Hoops have already left saying 'wow' as deadline day deals done

Celtic have beaten the winter transfer deadline day buzzer to pull off two late signings - as an exit is also sanctioned.

With Junior Adamu already signed, the Premiership champions left it late to sign defender Benjamin Arthur on loan from Brentford and winger Joel Mvuka has arrived on loan from Lorient. The latter’s was particularly bumpy, thought to be a permanent deal prior to a reported issue in the medical, with a deal said to have been renegotiated as a loan with option to buy.

Boss Martin O’Neill also added right-back Julian Araujo and striker Tomas Cvancara in the window, both on loan deals. O’Neill said: "I'm really happy that we have brought Benjamin to the club, and I think he can be a very important addition to our squad during the remainder of the season.

What have Celtic signed in Benjamin Arthur?

"He is an excellent player, with real attributes, good height, strength and speed and I know he can only help and improve the squad across the number of games which we will face over the next few months.

“Joel is a talented player who has a very good level of experience achieved at some really good clubs. He will give the squad another option, he is very quick, able to play on both wings and I am sure he will make a very positive contribution to the club. I know he is very excited about joining Celtic and we are hoping he can make a great impact for us.”

Arthur said: “I am really honoured and happy to be joining Celtic. It is one of the world’s biggest clubs, so it’s a really exciting move for me. I know we have a quality squad with guys who have won so much already, and I can’t wait to join them and hopefully play my part in bringing more success to the club and to our fans. We have a lot of challenges ahead and I am ready for them and ready to do all I can to help the club achieve all it can.”

Arthur’s move has allowed Stephen Welsh a return to Motherwell, where he spent the first half of the season, before being recalled. The defender said: “It’s not been an ideal situation, but I’m so pleased there’s been a resolution. I just want to play football, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time here for the first half of the season. The staff, the players and the fans are all so aligned, and as a player, it’s the perfect environment to play your football in.

Joel Mvuka on move to Celtic

“I’ll need to work to get myself back into the team now. The boys have done unbelievably well since I’ve been gone, which has been great. I’m buzzing to get back here, and I can’t wait to pick up where I left off.”

Mvuka meanwhile said on his Celtic switch: “It feels really good to finally be here. The thing that sits in my mind from playing at Celtic Park was before the game when the fans were singing You’ll Never Walk Alone, and I thought ‘Wow!'

“I was a team-mate of Sebastian Tounekti’s at Bodø/Glimt and I know him very well so I can’t wait to finally see him again. I’m a fast winger, I can play left or right, and I’m good with the ball, and I can’t wait to get started.”