Celtic sign Schalke's Pukki on four-year deal

Celtic FC have signed Finnish international striker Teemu Pukki on a four-year deal from FC Schalke 04.

Pukki, 23, scored eight goals in 37 appearances over three seasons at the Bundesliga outfit after arriving from HJK Helsinki. The forward is Celtic's second signing in as many days following the arrival of Nir Biton yesterday when the Scottish title holders were drawn in UEFA Champions League Group H alongside FC Barcelona, AC Milan and AFC Ajax.

"I am really excited and I am waiting to meet the guys and play on the pitch," Pukki told the club's official website. "I really can't wait to play in the stadium in front of the fans as I have heard so many good things about them. I am really looking forward to it and hope it happens soon. I spoke to my national team coach Mixu Paatelainen [who spent nearly two decades playing and managing in Scotland] and he was saying it will be a good club to go to.

"Celtic are a great, traditional club," added Pukki, who has scored six goals in 24 appearances at international level. "There is an opportunity to play in the Champions League and I hope I can score a lot of goals but I know it's not going to be easy to even get into the side and I will need to work hard."

Celtic begin their group stage campaign against Milan at San Siro on 18 September.