Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
‘I deserved to play more at West Ham’ insists new Celtic signing Ajeti
ALBIAN Ajeti claims he was not given enough chances at West Ham before signing a four-year deal with Celtic.
The 23-year-old Switzerland striker joined the Hoops for a fee believed to be £4.5 million after making 12 appearances without scoring in a year with the Londoners.
Ajeti, whose move to West Ham from Basel reportedly cost the Premier League club £8m, suggested his opportunities in England were limited.
He said: “Yes, to be fair I deserved to play more, I don’t need to hide that. I deserved that.
“But this is football, this is how it is. I am really happy now. What is gone is gone and I am looking forward now.
“I just think I need to play and this why I signed for Celtic.
“I had a good chat with the gaffer, Neil Lennon, and the sporting director (Nick Hammond), they really wanted me and this was the most important thing because the first season I had in West Ham was clear for me – I need to play and I am really looking forward to playing with Celtic.”
Celtic manager Lennon said: “We are delighted to bring Albian to Celtic.
“He is a tremendous player, an international with real quality and I know he is really determined to do all he can to bring more success to our supporters.
“I have admired him for a long time as he is a really intelligent footballer, well balanced and a really good finisher. We are so pleased to make him a Celtic player and we hope he has a long and prosperous career with us.”
Ajeti insists the challenge at Celtic Park is no different to the one down south.
He said: “It is the same. It is football, here or the Premier League. Celtic, with the standards they have, it doesn’t feel any change. I am really happy to be here.”