Celtic sign Danish midfielder Oliver Abildgaard from Rubin Kazan

Celtic have announced the signing of midfielder Oliver Abildgaard on a season-long deal.

The Danish 26-year-old joins from Rubin Kazan, becoming the third player to move to Parkhead from the Russian club after Carl Starfelt and Sead Haksabanovic.

Abildgaard will now compete for a place in Celtic’s midfield as they prepare for a busy spell of games in domestic competition and in the Champions League.

The midfielder began his career at AaB in 2015 and earned a move to Rubin Kazan five years later, initially on loan. Abildgaard has one international cap, having played for Denmark against Sweden in 2020.

“This is a day I’ve been very much looking forward to ever since I heard the possibility of coming here,” Abildgaard told Celtic TV.

“I’ve been following the highlights recently, ever since I heard about the interest, and I’ve also been keeping my eye on Carl Starfelt as well ever since he moved here a year ago.

“He’s been amazed by the club ever since he came here, and the life in Glasgow as well. He’s enjoying it very much and he’s only told me good things about it.”

The midfielder says he can anchor the midfield and doesn’t anticipate any difficulty in dealign with the physical side of the game.

“My main strengths are as a holding midfielder, and I’ll do whatever the manager and the coaching staff will require from me,” he said.

‘Due to my physique, I’m very strong, I will win my duels, and I’m able to be the link between our defence and our attacking players.’

He becomes Celtic’s ninth signing of the summer transfer window, following Dazien Maeda, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Benjamin Siegrist, Alexandro Bernabei, Jota, Moriz Jenz, Aaron Mooy and Sead Haksabanovic in signing deals with the club.