Scottish Premier side Celtic have completed the £2.4 million ($3.7 million) signing of Scunthorpe United striker Gary Hooper.
The 22-year-old Hooper had attracted the attention of several clubs after scoring 50 goals in the past two seasons for the Irons.
But Celtic were always favourites to sign the striker who was playing non-league football with Grays Athletic just five years ago.
The move marks a rapid rise for the player who may feature in Wednesday’s Champions League qualifier against Braga in Portugal on Wednesday.
“I’m a little bit nervous” admitted Hooper, “it’s the first time I’ve travelled abroad for a game”.
“But I am looking forward to it and ready to meet my team-mates. When I knew Celtic were interested they were the only club I wanted to come to.”
Celtic manager Neil Lennon was not giving any clues as to Hooper’s possible involvement on Wednesday when he said of his new signing: “I don’t know about playing but he will be in the squad.
“I was pleased to get him. He has been on our radar a while.
“It’s not just goals, he can play a little bit as well and there were a lot of clubs after his signature.”
Hooper became Celtic’s sixth signing of the summer, with Joe Ledley, Efrain Juarez, Daryl Murphy, Cha Du-Ri and Charlie Mulgrew having already joined the club.
