On this day in 1997.... Celtic completed the signing of the ‘King of Kings’ Henrik Larsson from Feyenoord for a bargain £650,000 transfer fee.
Signed at a time when the club were desperately seeking a top goal scorer under the management of new boss Wim Jansen, who knew the player well and was aware of the clause in his contract at the Dutch side, Celtic were bidding to not only prevent Rangers from winning ten-in-a-row but to preserve the Lisbon Lions legacy under Jock Stein.
The Swedish international would go on to make 315 appearances for the Parkhead club and score a sensational 242 goals. Add in eight major honours, one European final and a golden boot, he remains one of the best players to ever pull on the Hoops jersey.
Larsson often reflects on his seven-year spell in Glasgow’s East End as the place where he shot to stardom, admitting: “This is the club for me. This is where I made myself as a player, this is where everybody got to know me and this is the club that I will be eternally grateful to.”
Not only did he score a number of hugely important and memorable goals, he left behind a legacy and is still adored by the Celtic faithful to this day. Here is a look back at some of his best moments at the club 26 years on from putting pen to paper:
5. 9 May 1998: Henrik Larsson of Celtic celebrates after a Scottish Premier League match against St Johnstone at Celtic Park in Glasgow, Scotland. Celtic won the match 2-0 to become the league champions. \ Mandatory Credit: Shaun Botterill/Allsport
Larsson’s second season with the club saw a change in management with Jozef Vengloš taking over following Wim Jansen’s resignation. He featured in a more advanced striker’s role and scored 38 goals to end the season as both Celtic and Scotland’s top scorer. Further managerial change followed in 1999 and Larsson would sustain a career-threatening leg break, which kept him out for a sustained period of time. | Getty Images
6. Martin O’Neill era
Celtic began the 2000/01 campaign with another new manager in the Parkhead hot seat - Martin O’Neill. It marked the start of a memorable era in the club’s history and one of Larsson’s most successful seasons during his time in Glasgow. | Getty Images
7. Hampden heroics
Renowned for scoring important goals at crucial times such as netting the opener against St Johnstone on the final day of the 1997/98 season on route to winning the title, Larsson would produce the goods during the 2001 Scottish Cup Final against Hibs at Hampden Park. | Getty Images
8. Golden boot and treble win
Overall, the 2000/01 campaign would yield 35 league goals in 38 matches. Factoring in other domestic competitions, his total stood at a sensational 53 goals as Celtic won the Treble. On a personal level, Larsson won the European Golden Boot as the continent’s top scorer. | Getty Images