Barca couldn’t win Ajeti over ...but Lennon sold him Celtic

New £5m man turned down Catalans as teen but is ready to star at Parkhead

ALBIAN AJETI and his twin brother Adonis both spurned the advances of Barcelona after being courted by the European giants on a dream visit to their renowned La Masia youth academy as promising teenagers.

Yet, the Swiss striker knew immediately that Celtic was the perfect place for him to further his career after chatting to their manager

Neil Lennon and leapt at the chance to join him at the Parkhead club.

Ajeti finally completed his protracted £5million move from West Ham yesterday and signed a four-year contract with the Scottish champions. It has taken some time to conclude the transfer. But the 23-year-old was at pains to point out exactly why after finally putting pen to paper.

He endured a difficult time at the London Stadium, where Manuel Pellegrini was replaced by Davie Moyes as manager a few months after he arrived last season. He only made nine Premier League appearances and failed to net once.

The former Augsburg, St Gallen and Basel forward was keen to know exactly how Lennon intended to utilise his talents so he could be sure he would avoid another frustrating campaign on the sidelines. But once he had done so he had no hesitation in joining.

“We talked on the phone and he told me he knew my qualities and what kind of striker I am,” said Ajeti. “He believes I can fit perfectly in this Celtic team and this was a main reason for me to sign for Celtic.

“For me it was important that the boss Neil Lennon and the sporting director

Nick Hammond showed a lot of interest in me. It was also important for me to feel like I would be an important player if I was going to sign for as big a club as Celtic is.

“But when you have a chance to play for them, with all the tradition they have and the history of this football club

training for clubs outwith the SPFL Premiership – which includes all organised adult football over-18 - will be delayed until at least August 24, pending updated government guidance on the 20th.

“This is to ensure that all club facilities comply with the current JRG Protocols, social distancing and hygiene measures, all club policies and procedures comply with the current protocols and government guidance, lub testing regimes in the professional game comply with the protocols, and players and staff at all levels of the game have been reminded of the latest government guidance.”

Joint Response Group chairman Rod Petrie said: “The message from First Minister could not have been clearer. The JRG must now ensure that the planned resumption of football beyond the

Scottish Premiership is done in a controlled manner with the strictest adherence to protocols and guidelines.

“The pause on the return to training for the professional game outwith the Scottish Premiership will not impact on the proposed start dates of the respective league competitions but will give sufficient time to reinforce protocols, educate players and make sure of the ability of clubs in the lower divisions to conform.”