Kieran Tierney has completed his Scottish record £25m move to Arsenal after making what he called “the hardest decision in my whole life”.
He’s here…
Welcome to The Arsenal, @kierantierney1 ????
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— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 8, 2019
The 22-year-old left-back completed a medical on Thursday after the clubs agreed terms following lengthy talks.
The English Premier League side previously had two bids rejected by the Scottish Premiership club this summer.
“It’s a hard decision to leave a club that you love so much. People need to know that,” Tierney said.
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Celtic insisted they “did all we could” to keep the Scotland defender, who had come through the club’s youth academy.
“While the club did not need or wish to sell Kieran, this was an opportunity Kieran very much wished to pursue and with the club having received a significant offer, we have agreed to the transfer,” read a club statement.
Tierney won four league titles with Celtic and has been on the winning side for two Scottish Cups and two League Cups.
However, he has been restricted to just nine appearances this year and had a double hernia operation in the summer.
Celtic thanked Tierney for making a “significant contribution”, while manager Neil Lennon reiterated it was “an opportunity Kieran wanted to take”.
“Although he is still a young guy, Kieran has given the club so much,” Lennon added. “I’m sure he will continue to progress and develop and make a big impact.”
