Kelechi Iheanacho has spoken publicly for the first time since becoming a Celtic player.
The striker joined the club the day after the summer transfer window shut as a free agent.
Coming in to replace Adam Idah, who departed for Swansea City in a £7million move, Iheanacho is targeting silverware: "I’m excited to be a Celtic player and I’m feeling really good about it," he told celticfc.com. "Celtic is a massive club and I’ve been following them for a long time.
"I’m happy to be a part of that now, and hopefully it’ll be a great season.
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"I’m looking forward to fighting for silverware with Celtic. In England, I won trophies so hopefully I can be a winner with Celtic as well.
"I can’t wait to be a part of all of it and I’m very confident that I can bring a lot to the team."
It doesn't take a detective to work out that Iheanacho, in the mould of Kasper Schmeichel, is a signing that originates from Brendan Rodgers' phonebook. The last one of those, Kasper Schmeichel, didn't work out too badly.
Similar to the veteran goalkeeper, Iheanacho played under Rodgers at Leicester City, winning the FA Cup and Community Shield.
The most prolific goalscoring campaign of his career to date came under the Irishman, with the centre-forward bagging 19 times in 2020/21.
"I’m really happy to be working with Brendan again," admitted Iheanacho. "He’s a great man and a great coach with a good personality, and I’m happy to be playing under him again. The gaffer knows me, and he knows what I can offer, so I just can’t wait to get going.
"When I was at Leicester, I used to sit next to Kasper in the changing room, so I’ll be happy to see him again. It’s been a long time, so I’m looking forward to speaking to him again."
Having come through the ranks at Manchester City, the Nigerian has played and scored against his new team previously.
Iheanacho netted in a 1-1 Champions League draw at the Etihad Stadium in 2016, and a few months prior, was an unused substitute in an enthralling 3-3 draw at Parkhead.
"I was on the bench for Manchester City at Celtic Park back in 2016," he said. "It was a cold night, but it was such a massive atmosphere! The Celtic fans are incredible, and I can’t wait to play for them now.
"I’ll always give my best for the fans. I can’t wait to share good times with them and play good football."
Iheanacho could make his Celtic debut against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park a week on Sunday. He has been included in the club's 24-man UEFA Europa League squad in favour of fellow strikers Callum Osmand and Shin Yamada, who were both signed earlier this summer.