Giorgos Giakoumakis was announced today as a Celtic player after completing a £2.2m move from VVV Venlo. The 26-year-old has made 6 appearances for the Greece International Team and spoke of his delight at moving to Paradise on a five year deal.
The centre forward, that scored 29 goals in 33 appearances in The Netherlands last year, said that he was delighted to have joined Celtic and is looking forward to getting started.
“It’s really amazing, I’m really excited and I’m looking forward to wearing this strip with pride. Celtic have always been a team I’ve liked and I’ve watched many games in the past.
“The amazing atmosphere in the stadium is something else and I’m delighted to be here and to help write history together. I’m already hearing the stadium celebrating my first goal in my head. I’m really looking forward to scoring my first goal with our fans and celebrating together.’
“I’m really proud, I’m happy and I’m really excited that I signed for this beautiful club. I’ll give 100 percent in every single game to help my team to win every game, because this is the target that Celtic should always have – to win in every game, in Europe and in the Scottish Premiership.”
£220k will be due to AEK Athens as part of their agreement when they sold Giakoumakis to the Eredivisie side for just €600k last season. The Greek striker is a target man, someone that has height and strength but can really attack the ball as well as bully defenders.
Leigh Griffiths departed the club on a season-long loan to Dundee as he reunites with James McPake at Dens Park. Ryan Christie’s time at Celtic Park appears to be up with Bournemouth looking to seal a deal for the player, which is believed to be for around £2.5m. Giakoumakis is Celtic’s tenth signing of the window but hopefully there are a few more deals in the pipeline.