Alex Valle says it’s ‘amazing’ to have joined Celtic on loan from Barcelona

Barcelona left-back Alex Valle revealed he needed no persuading to move to “historic club” Celtic on loan.

The 20-year-old will compete with Greg Taylor for a place in the Celtic team after signing a new contract with his home city club following a loan spell at Levante last season.

When asked what had attracted him to a move to Glasgow, he said: “It’s Celtic Football Club. I don’t know what I can say. It’s an historic club that plays really good football so I think it’s an attractive opportunity for me.

“I have heard a lot about Celtic Park, its crowd and their fans. It’s really good environment here and I am looking forward to live it in real life.

“When I was coming here, the Celtic staff sent me a few videos and it’s really amazing.”

Valle will experience the stadium at its noisiest on Sunday when Rangers visit on William Hill Premiership duty.

“I know what this game in Scotland means and I am looking forward to living it,” he said.

The defender could be in line for a high-profile debut and is ready to give his all.

“I have been training for a couple of days and it was a really warm welcome,” he said. “Everyone is really kind and they have been looking after me really well, so I have nothing bad to say.

“The only thing I can say is that I will work as hard as I can to try and play and to learn new things every day, and try to help my team-mates with anything that I can do for them.

“I try to make every year count for me and it’s a step forward. My loan at Levante was very good, I learned a lot and played in the second tier in Spain so I think it was really positive and now I am here.”

Valle was the first new outfield player to join Celtic this summer and arrives after the big-money sale of Matt O’Riley to Brighton.

The midfielder’s move quickly turned sour when he suffered an ankle injury early in his debut against Crawley in the Carabao Cup.

O’Riley will need surgery but he found time to write a farewell message to Celtic fans while processing the bad news.

He said on his Instagram account: “This isn’t an easy message to write but I just wanted to express how grateful I am to have been able to represent this special football club.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to be in an environment and team full of great people. All my teammates and the staff made it easy for me to settle in right from day one and feel part of the family.

“The joy I have experienced when wearing the badge and playing in front of you guys is one like no other. Every single game was an absolute privilege to be a part of and I’m thankful I got to be at the club during a successful period.

“When they say it’s a club like no other it truly is. You guys are one of a kind and it is a credit to all of you for providing such an amazing atmosphere week in week out.

“Thank you for letting me share these times with you. I will forever be a Celt and I will forever support the club.”