Star fulfils transfer dream as Celtic deal agreed after Champions League acclaim
Hoops have secured their first addition of the summer transfer window
New Hoops striker Camilo Duran claims he’s fulfilled his dream to sign for ‘a big club like Celtic’ as he puts pen to paper on a five-year deal.
The 24-year old will become the first ever Colombian to play where the green and white jersey as he completes his move from Qarabag for around £6m, subject to international clearance. He will join his new teammates and manager Martin O’Neill at their pre-season warm weather training camp in Portugal.
Duran scored five goals in the Champions League last season for the 12-time Azerbaijani champions against the likes of Benfica, Newcastle, Frankfurt and Ajax. Before that, he started his career in Portugal playing in the second tier for Lusitania and Estrela da Amadora.
New Celtic addition fulfils ‘big club’ dream
Upon his arrival, Duran told CelticPlayer: “I'm very happy, it's a dream come true to sign for a big club like Celtic, the biggest in Scotland, and I'm just excited to get going and score lots of goals. When I first heard of the interest there was absolutely no doubt in my mind and I'm just excited to get playing with the boys.
“It was a dream come true playing in the Champions League. That's what you dream of as a kid, so to score goals was amazing and that's what I want to continue doing here, scoring goals in the Champions League. I give it my all in every game, with a lot of effort and dedication, and hopefully the goals will come.
“It's an honour to be the first Colombian to play for Celtic. It's been a dream of mine since I was a kid (to play for my country) and I hope that being here at Celtic and working well, then one day that will become true. I’ve told the manager how happy I am to be here and that I will hopefully repay him with my performances. It's a real honour to wear this jersey and I hope that this year we'll be champions.”
O’Neill discusses Duran attributes
Duran is the first signing that has been made since O’Neill extended his stay at the club last month. While the Colombian was completing his medical through the week, the Hoops boss said: "Tim [Williamson], our physio, has gone down to meet up with him and I think that that's going to happen. He's (Duran) still very young. What he can do is hold up play. I think he's strong in that department. I do think that he will be a good addition. Famous last words."
The club statement on signing Duran read: “Celtic are delighted to announce that Camilo Duran has joined the club on a five-year deal, subject to international clearance. The Colombian forward joins the Scottish Champions from Qarabag, having spent last season with the Azerbaijani side where he scored 15 goals, including five in the UEFA Champions League, and also provided 10 assists. Now the 24-year-old is taking the next step in his career with a move to join Martin O’Neill’s squad, and he has met up with his new team-mates at their training camp in Portugal.”
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