I will repay Rodgers for his backing, says Edouard
ODSONNE Edouard has vowed to repay Brendan Rodgers’ huge faith in him after becoming the most expensive player in Celtic’s history.
The 20-year-old striker yesterday signed a four-year deal with the champions after a deal was struck with Paris Saint-Germain which could eventually rise to £9million.
Edouard impressed during his season-long loan from the French club, scoring 11 goals in 29 appearances as Rodgers’ side won a historic double Treble.
The Irishman made the signing of the French Under-19 cap on a permanent basis his priority this summer with Celtic securing the player shortly before their ‘first refusal’ agreement with the Paris club expired this weekend.
And Edouard has pledged to waste no time in demonstrating that Rodgers was right to push through a deal which shatters any which have gone before.
‘I’ve learned a lot under the manager,’ said Edouard (below). ‘He’s had a very important role in the development of my game. I owe him a lot for what he’s done and the time he’s given me.
‘Now I want to continue learning from both the manager and my team-mates.
‘There wasn’t a particular moment that I knew I wanted to stay. As soon as I came on board, I wanted to impress enough to try and stay at Celtic.
‘I was working closely with the manager on a project and I want to finish what I had started with the manager because I feel I am improving.
‘It feels amazing to have finally signed. I’m very happy to be here. It was my No 1 objective to come back to the club. Now that I’m here, I’m going to focus on enjoying my time here.’
Reflecting on a capture which will see £6.5m paid up front and up to £2.2m changing hands in add-ons, Rodgers said: ‘We are delighted to make such an important signing. Odsonne is one of the best young players I have worked with and one of the best in Europe.
‘Our fans saw what he is capable of last season and we look forward to working with him again as we look to build on the tremendous success we achieved last year. I am sure he will be a big player this season.’
Meanwhile, another recent addition to the Celtic dressing room, Lewis Morgan, insists he has no intention of going out on loan to Sunderland.
The young winger signed for the Scottish champions from St Mirren but was immediately loaned back to the Paisley club.
Jack Ross, his boss at Saints, has moved on to Sunderland and wanted Morgan to join him there on a season-long loan.
Due to report for his first Lennoxtown pre-season training session on Monday, however, the 21-year-old insists he is only interested in establishing himself at Celtic.
Addressing the Sunderland speculation, the Scotland winger, who signed a four-and-a-halfyear contract in January, said: ‘It’s not something I’m focusing on. I’m only focusing on Celtic. I want to stake a claim there, that’s all I am thinking about.
‘I’ve already been out on loan at St Mirren, although people might not see it like that.
‘I’m not as young as people think, either, so it’s time for me to stake a claim and show why Celtic signed me in the first place. I will go in, work hard and see where it takes me. I believe in my ability.
‘I spoke to the manager before the Scotland trip. He said to enjoy myself and that he’d see me on the 18th. ‘I’m sure we will have a good chat and take it from there. I will be going in for the pre-season trying to get into the starting XI.’ Morgan, who picked up his first Scotland caps against Peru and Mexico, said: ‘It’s a new challenge at Celtic and there are European games coming up. I just want to take it all in my stride.’