Celtic swoop for Ashdod midfielder Biton
Friday, August 30, 2013
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Celtic FC have added to their squad by bringing Israeli international midfielder Nir Biton on board on a four-year contract from FC Ashdod for a reported fee of €820,000.
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Celtic FC have strengthened their squad by signing Israeli midfielder Nir Biton on a four-year contract from FC Ashdod.
The 21-year-old joins the Scottish title holders in a reported €820,000 deal and has expressed his delight with the move. "I don't think I needed something to convince me to come to a club the size of Celtic," said Biton, who captained his country at the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship and has also been capped six times by Israel's senior side. "It's a big club in Europe and has one of the best sets of fans in the world. This is my dream."
The transfer means that Biton will be reunited with former Ashdod defender Efe Ambrose and compatriot Beram Kayal at Celtic Park, ahead of the club's testing UEFA Champions League campaign against FC Barcelona, AC Milan and AFC Ajax in Group H. Neil Lennon's charges open their bid away against the Rossoneri on 18 September.
"Playing in the Champions League is a dream for every player," added Biton. "The draw is very tough but in football everything is open. Last year I saw [Celtic's matchday four] game against Barcelona at home and it was something impossible, but Celtic won."
