Celtic announce signing of Denmark captain Kasper Schmeichel on one-year deal

Celtic have announced the signing of goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

The Dane has signed a one-year deal with the Parkhead club.

Schmeichel is travelling to the USA to join up with his new teammates as they prepare for the new season, and will be reunited with Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, who he played under for three years at Leicester City.

The 37-year-old is an experienced replacement for Joe Hart, who retired at the end of last season. Schmeichel joins the club just days after another goalkeeper was signed, with 22-year-old Finland international goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo joining on a five-year contract from Aston Villa.

“I am absolutely delighted to join Celtic and can’t wait to get started,” Schmeichel said.

“Celtic is one of the world’s proper football clubs, a massive name and a place of real passion and success. Celtic is what football is all about.

“I know Brendan very well, too. He is a top manager and someone I can’t wait to work with again.

“I’m really looking forward to meeting up with the boys in America and start our work and then, of course, meet our fans who bring so much to Celtic.

“I will be doing all I can to keep Celtic on top and bring these brilliant supporters more and more success.”

🆕 Velkommen, Kasper!

🇩🇰 Danish Euro 2024 captain and goalkeeper, Kasper Schmeichel, joins #CelticFC on a one-year deal – subject to international clearance. ✍️#KasperAnnounced🍀
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 18, 2024

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers added: “I am really pleased to bring Kasper to Celtic. He is a real quality keeper and someone with the ability and personality to be great for us.

“He is a guy I trust and someone who knows how to win. He lives for football and he is coming to a club where he will feel the same passion that he has for the game.

“I know he will feel right at home at Celtic and we look forward to working with him as we all aim for more success.”

The son of former Manchester United star Peter Schmeichel, Kasper began his career with Manchester City. His three years as a senior player there were marked by a series of loan spells, including a six-month spell at Falkirk in 2007.

Schmeichel then had stints at Notts County and Leeds United before moving to Leicester City in 2011.

The goalkeeper spent 11 years at Leicester, playing more than 400 games, winning the Premier League and playing in the Champions League.

After leaving the English side two years ago, he spent a season at Nice and then moved to Anderlecht, where he played last season before becoming a free agent at the end of his one-year contract.

Schmeichel has 105 caps for Denmark and has played at both the World Cup and the European Championships.