Celtic pick up Boerrigter on four-year deal

Celtic FC have signed Derk Boerrigter from AFC Ajax on a four-year deal in time for the winger to be available for Wednesday's UEFA Champions League third qualifying round first leg against IF Elfsborg.

"He's been the type of player we've been after for quite a while," said Celtic manager Neil Lennon. "He's a very pacy, left-footed player. He's direct – an eliminator. He has goals in him as well, left foot and right foot. He has good experience and has played at a high level for the last two or three years. He has been playing in a quality side in a quality environment."

The 26-year-old Boerrigter is the fourth player to join the Scottish champions this summer, accompanying Virgil van Dijk, Steven Mouyokolo and Baldé through the door at Celtic Park. Boerrigter struck five goals in 30 Eredivisie appearances for Ajax last season. He was also on the scoresheet in the Amsterdam club's 4-1 defeat at Real Madrid CF in the UEFA Champions League group stage.

Boerrigter began his professional career at Ajax but did not make an appearance for the club during his first spell there. A loan to Haarlem FC was followed by two years at PEC Zwolle before a move to RKC Waalwijk. A return to his first club came to pass in 2011, while in November that year he was called up to the Dutch national squad for the first time, though he is yet to win a senior cap.