DIEGO LAXALT says he was thrilled to discover Celtic were interested in him - adding that he's "extremely happy" to have signed for Neil Lennon's men.
The AC Milan left-back has joined the Premeirship champions on a season-long loan and is the Parkhead club's sixth signing after Vasilis Barkas, Moi Elyounoussi, David Turnbull, Albian Ajeti and Shane Duffy completed moves to Glasgow's east end.
The deal has been in the works for the last week or so and the 27-year-old Uruguyan says he refused to get carried away until there was a concrete offer - but now the move has been finalised, he's determined to give his all for his new club.
“I’m extremely happy to have signed for a club that is very well known around the world,” Laxalt told the Celtic website. “It is a club with a lot of tradition and I can’t wait to get out on the football pitch.
“I know there’s no game this weekend but I’m going to start training and I can’t wait to meet my new team-mates. And for me, when we’re standing in the tunnel and then out on the field, that’s when we start building up memories and building as a team.
“I first heard the rumours about a week ago but I didn’t want to take anything seriously until I was absolutely certain. I was very calm about it, but when I heard it was happening, I couldn’t believe it and I’m extremely happy that it’s become a reality.
“I couldn’t think of any other Uruguayan player who has played for Celtic, so I realise I’m the first one. I’m extremely happy about that and I’m a player who likes to leave everything on the pitch when I’m playing. I’m very happy. I love the colours and I can’t wait to wear the strip in a match.”
Laxalt will be teaming up with French midfielder Olivier Ntcham for the second time in his career after the pair played alongside each other at Genoa, with the wing-back looking forward to getting reacqainted with his old team-mate.
He recalled: “I’m very happy to share again new memories with Olivier. I spent a lot of time with Olivier at Genoa when we played there together, and he’s an extremely good player and a good person as well.
"So I’m very happy and I’m looking forward to playing with him again."
Ntcham added that he had fond memories of playing alongside Laxalt in Serie A and spoke highly of Celtic's sixth summer arrival.
“It’s great that Diego has joined Celtic because he’s a very good player and a very good guy," he said.
“He’s a really quick player, really sharp and is very motivated. He’ll be a good player for Celtic because he’s got the right mentality and always works hard for the team.”
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