Celtic sign Sporting CP Scot Ryan Gauld
25 April 2017| Football
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Gauld becomes Celtic's highest transfer fee paid since Chris Sutton who was bought for £6,000,000
Ryan Gauld has signed for Celtic on a four-year deal that includes a 28m euro (£25m) buyout clause.
The transfer of Ryan Gauld is set to be around £10m upfront with incentives that could raise it to £13M after certain conditions are meet.
The 21 Gauld has been frustrated with the lack of playing time in Portugal for some time now and he finally has a new home, as he returns to Scotland, to play for champions Celtic FC.
The move for Gauld was a surprise one coming from the Green and White of Glasgow as he was deemed to be more expensive than what Celtic were going for.
"Ryan is an amazing talent and it is nice to see him return to Scotland to play for us especially as many other clubs were in bid for him. He is going to be a key player for us in the coming seasons," said Brendan Rodgers.
Gauld previously played for Dundee United from 2011-14 and was moved to Sporting in the summer of 2014 for a £2M switch. Since joining Gauld has made sporadic appearances with the first team as he is featured for Sporting B most of the time. This season he has only made one appearance for Sporting in a cup match.
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Gauld was seen as the next great footballer from Scotland and now joining Brendan Rodgers the 21 year old is looking to reinvigorate his career.
"I am very pleased to have joined Celtic, they are a great club and I see them as a place that can get my career back on track. Brendan (Rodgers is a great manager and I am very excited to play for him next season," said Gauld after the announcement was made.
Celtic put on a £25 million release clause for good reason. Despite moving back home Gauld is still a highly sought after talent who will get many clubs looking to sign him. If he is ever sold Celtic will have have a very nice payday.
With the transfer of Gauld and Larsson early this season Celtic are stacked at the midfield. The reports of Hibernian's John McGinn to join next season seem to now be put to rest.
The Bhoys have a crowded midfield with the likes of Stuart Armstrong, Scott Brown, Tom Rogic, Liam Henderson, Nir Bitton and Callum McGregor. One or two of the players mentioned are now on the verge of leaving in some sort of way either via loan or transfer.