CHELSEA kid Charly Musonda has joined Celtic on an 18-month loan deal.
The Belgian sensation swept into Glasgow Airport this morning before undergoing a medical.
All went smoothly and now the Scottish champions have confirmed Musonda as their third January capture.
The deal represents a sizeable seven-figure outlay for Parkhead side.It’s understood the Hoops will pay a loan fee, in addition to a significant portion of his Stamford Bridge wages.
Musonda – who only signed a new five-year deal at Chelsea last month – was courted by a staggering TWENTY-FOUR clubs.
Explaining his decision, Musonda said: “It’s simple for me – Celtic is a massive club.
“It’s a club with many fans, an unbelievable passion, and the culture is more than a club. Those were the most important things, and I wanted to go somewhere where I would enjoy my football, and I know the manager as well. I am very happy to be here.
“It’s a massive club and I am really looking forward to it. I was quite close to coming last summer but it didn’t happen.
“I spoke again with the manager a couple of weeks ago and I said I had a feeling that this is where I want to come and play my football. I am very lucky to be here and I am very happy to be here.”
Musonda will wear 67 for his new side and under stands the significance of the number – the year Celtic won the quintuple.
He said: “I was well aware that 67 is a special number here and this is why I took this number and now it’s up to me to carry on the legend on the pitch and to enjoy it – hopefully I give the fans what they are looking for.
“I have heard so many good things about the stadium and the fans, so it’s going to be unreal to play at Celtic Park.
“I am really excited and I can’t wait for it. This is a massive club, with 60,000 fans at the games and you don’t get that everywhere.”
Top Euro outfits including Roma and Sevilla were interested in the 21-year-old.
But Brendan Rodgers made the youngster his top target at the start of the window and the board have backed the boss.
It won’t be the last piece of business done by Celtic ahead of Wednesday night’s transfer deadline.
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Rodgers is also on the hunt for a back-up keeper, with Dorus de Vries set to replace crocked Craig Gordon as No1.
The Treble-winners are also expected to table an improved offer for Dundee stopper Jack Hendry.
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