Checking in: Biram Kayal is Celtic's seventh summer signing, moving from Maccabi Haifa on a four-year deal. Pic: ©SNS Group
Biram Kayal has completed his move to Celtic. The Israeli midfielder, who flew in to Scotland on Tuesday, has signed a four year contract and will be unveiled on Thursday afternoon.
Kayal, who rejected interest from Galatasaray and FC Twente to hold talks with the SPL club, becomes Neil Lennon’s seventh summer signing, providing further competition in central midfield.
Neil Lennon met Kayal for the first time on Thursday morning, following the manager’s return from Portugal overnight after Celtic’s 3-0 defeat to Braga in the Champions League third qualifying round.
Kayal has 10 international caps for Israel, forging a reputation for himself as a tough-tackling and combative defensive midfielder. At club level, he has been encouraged to play as a box-to-box player, supporting the forwards as well as covering the back line.
Not regarded for his attacking prowess, Kayal is more likely to find himself in a holding role in Lennon’s new-look side, providing competition to Ki Sung-Yeung, Efrain Juarez and Marc Crosas.
Juarez, Cha Du-Ri, Charlie Mulgrew, Joe Ledley, Daryl Murphy and Gary Hooper have also moved to Celtic this summer, as Lennon builds a team to challenge Rangers for the SPL title.
BIRAM KAYAL MOVES TO CELTIC
- Biram Kayal arrives in Glasgow for Celtic talks
- Celtic’s Champions League challenge excites Kayal
- Celtic first choice for Kayal despite other offers
- Celtic interested in Maccabi Haifa midfielder
“This is the player’s choice,” Kayal's agent Dudu Dahan said as the pair arrived in Scotland. “This club from all the others. He is very happy, he’s very excited to come here.”
Celtic will parade Kayal at Lennoxtown on Thursday afternoon, with a view to the player featuring in this weekend's Emirates Cup competition in London.
