Celtic have announced the signing of highly-rated Finnish international goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo from English Premier League side Aston Villa.
Speaking to Celtic TV after completing his move, Sinisalo expressed his delight at joining the Hoops.
“I know Celtic is a huge football club and it’s really exciting to be part of something so big. It feels amazing,” Sinisalo said.
Sinisalo came through the youth ranks at Aston Villa and was previously in Scotland for a short spell with Ayr United and then spent last season on loan at English League One club Exeter City, where he was named the team’s Player of the Year after making 50 appearances across all competitions.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was thrilled to secure the services of the talented shot-stopper and bolster his options in goals – with experienced professional, Kasper Schmeichel, also expected to arrive this summer.
“I am delighted to welcome Vil to Celtic,” Rodgers said. “He is a keeper with real qualities and someone we have been aware of and monitored for some time.”
“Clearly we have been looking to develop our goalkeeping team, and we are really pleased to have secured one of the talented keepers we really wanted,” the Celtic boss added.
Sinisalo took to Instagram once the transfer was official and expressed his gratitude at Aston Villa giving him the opportunity to learn his trade the past eight years.
He wrote: “My time at Aston Villa has come to an end. I came here as a 16 year old boy and will always be grateful for the opportunity that I was given.
“I have watched an amazing football club develop even further and look forward to watching their success from afar now.
“A club is only as good as the people within it and Aston Villa is full of incredible people who have all helped me on my journey and I want to thank them all.
“I take a huge step on my journey now to a massive football club with incredible support and history. I want to follow in the footsteps of the incredible goalkeepers they have had and play my part in helping them win as many trophies as possible. Thank you.”
