Roy Keane has completed his move to Celtic, signing an 18-month deal with the Scottish Premier League side.
The 34-year-old Irishman, who left Manchester United last month by mutual consent, had interested several Premiership clubs as well as Real Madrid.
But, Keane, who has often said that he would like to end his career at Celtic, has opted for a move to Scotland.
A statement released on the club’s website read: “Celtic are delighted to announce that Roy Keane has signed for the club.
“The self-confessed Celtic fan has fulfilled a long-held dream by joining The Hoops and his contract will see him remain at Celtic Park initially until June 2007.
As he was unveiled at Celtic Park, Keane said: “I gave other clubs a chance and was impressed with them all.
“But it’s a great move for me. I feel that this is where I belong and I’m here to work hard and win games.
“It’s been a strange few weeks having left United, but I thought it was about time I made a decision.
“I’ve been in the Premiership for a long time and feel I have proved myself there and needed a different environment, different teams, different grounds,” he added.
“Every boy in Ireland has an interest in Celtic, although my English team at the time was Spurs for some reason.
“I’ve been up to Celtic to watch a few games and always enjoyed my time here.”
Keane’s deal is believed to be worth £20,000 a week, a pay cut of £70,000 on his Old Trafford salary, although Celtic’s majority shareholder Dermot Desmond is reported to be supplementing his basic salary with an additional £20,000 a week payment.
“This is not a financial move for me and I’m not coming here for an ego trip or to unwind,” said Keane.
“I had an important role in front of the back four at United, but I might be given more licence to play here.
“I push myself hard in training and try to push others hard – and people seemed happy with that until a few weeks ago.”
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan added: “He has proved over the last 15 years that he is a competitor.
“You can’t get enough competitors in your squad and this was too good a chance to miss.”
The midfielder will be eligible to make his debut when Celtic face Hearts at Tynecastle on New Year’s Day.
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