Celtic have secured the signing of the young Norwegian midfielder Kristoffer Ajer from the Tippeligaen club IK Start.
The 17-year-old has signed a four-year contract with the Scottish champions, and will move to Glasgow in June, having spent a week on trial at Celtic last month.
Ajer, who has made close to 50 league appearances in Norway, told the club’s website: “It’s a great honour … I am only 17 and I have already achieved one of my biggest dreams so I can’t wait to start here at Celtic and develop as a player.
“I will be a full member of the A squad and I will need to prove myself, develop and be good in training and the playing time I get. Time will show, but hopefully I will play a lot.”
Ajer, who will begin the domestic season with Start before joining up with his new team-mates in the summer, added: “I’m a holding midfielder that likes to be on the ball and likes to win it back again.
“That’s what I have done at Start and what I plan to do here. I have many role models that I have watched on YouTube, such as Patrick Vieira who was a great player in that position. At Celtic, there are also holding midfielders that are very good and I need to learn from. I can’t wait to get back in the summer and start training with them and to learn everything.”
Celtic opened a three-point lead over Aberdeen at the top of the Scottish Premiership on Saturday when Leigh Griffiths struck his 30th goal of the season to inspire a 2-0 win over Ross County.
