Celtic have announced the signing of Swiss goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist on a free transfer from Dundee United. The 30-year-old has impressed in four seasons with the Tannadice club, attracting interest from teams in England as well as Celtic.
The ex-Aston Villa prospect has signed a four-year deal becoming the second summer signing after Cameron Carter-Vickers joined in a permanent deal from Tottenham Hotspur. Siegrist will wear the No.31 jersey for the club.
It is a shrewd signing for Celtic as Ange continues to quietly do his business ahead of the new season. Joe Hart has recently taken over the No.1 jersey at the club and he will be the man to displace headed into the new season. Although, Siegrist will know that he is there to support the former England Internationalist.
Scott Bain has deputised to Hart last season but the manager has moved quickly to ensure that there is other goalkeeping options following Vasilis Barkas’ departure to Utrecht. The Greek goalkeeper struggled in two seasons at Celtic and his departure may be a loan but this could be in name only as his career in Glasgow looks to be over.
Now, Siegrist will likely act as Celtic’s No.2 goalkeeper looking to provide competition to Hart between the sticks. Rangers were keen on the player and supposedly gave him tickets to Seville to entice him; however, Celtic moved quickly and clearly it was too big a pull to join The Scottish Champions.
Welcome to Celtic, Benjamin.