Celtic have signed Jonny Hayes on a three-year contract from Aberdeen.
Hayes, who opened the scoring against the Hoops in the Scottish Cup final last month before ending up on the losing side, has been a key player for the Dons since joining them from Inverness in 2012.
Ryan Christie will join Aberdeen from Celtic on a season-long loan.
#HayesisaCelt!
— Celtic Football Club (@celticfc) June 17, 2017
Irish internationalist Jonny Hayes signs for #CelticFC on a three-year deal. Welcome, Jonny!
➡️ https://t.co/jyWbyidsVY pic.twitter.com/TF1YrjBpmv
The deals were announced on the Scottish Premiership champions’ official website.
Hayes was the only non-Celtic player to feature on the Scottish Professional Footballers’ Association player of the year shortlist.
“I’m delighted,” he told celticfc.net.
“It’s been in the pipeline for a little while now but I’m pleased to finally get here. I was eager to get it over the line for the last few weeks.
“Celtic have done well over the last few seasons and with the manager (Brendan Rodgers) coming in last year he raised the level again. It was hard last year seeing all the celebrations and all the stuff on social media and you want that for yourself and to be part of it.
“Now it’s my chance and hopefully, going forward, I can create my own little bit of history and take the chance I’ve been given.”
Hayes admits the prospect of playing Champions League football was one of the big attractions of moving to the Glasgow giants.
“You can’t get away from the Champions League,” he said.
“I can imagine it is the reason many players have wanted to come here. Not only is it the size and stature of the club, Champions League nights and the atmosphere are a massive factor in wanting to come here.
“Whether you’re a football fan or not, everybody knows about the atmosphere of Champions League nights at Celtic Park. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want a part of that.”
