Strachan welcomes Ronaldinho
GORDON Strachan added both strength and quality to his squad as Celtic completed the signing of Brazilian internationalist, Ronaldinho, from Barcelona FC.
The Celtic manager welcomed Ronaldinho Gaúcho to the club on Tuesday (July 4) after the 26 year-old put pen to paper on a three-year contract, with the club having the option of an additional fourth year.
The signing was immediately welcomed by both the manager and Chief Executive Peter Lawwell as a huge coup for the club, with Ronaldinho a proven quality at both European and international levels.
“He has got a bit of everything,” said Gordon Strachan. “He has been about and knows the game.
“He has experience, he has been in big sides, he scores goals and he gives us a presence - a talented presence as well as a personality presence and he can play with good players.
“You don’t play for Barcelona or Brazil unless the manager thinks that you can play with good players and he has loads of what we are looking for, that’s for sure.”
An attacking midfielder, Ronaldinho started out in his homeland with Grêmio before moving to Paris St Germain on a five-year contract.
The midfielder played a key role in the French side and it was during his time in Paris that he caught the eye of both Manchester United and Barcelona FC.
On July 19 FC Barcelona acquired Ronaldinho for £18 million.
Last season Ronaldinho completed a memorable double winning La Liga and the Champion's League with Barca and as Peter Lawwell explained, Celtic had to fend off competition from a number of top sides to clinch his signature.
“It’s massive for us,” said the Chief Executive. “The interest in Ronny was great among Spanish clubs, clubs in the English Premiership and in the Emerald Isle.
“There were big clubs offering him lucrative deals, so it is a massive coup for us to have someone of that pedigree and that quality available is fantastic.
“We are absolutely delighted to have secured Ronny,” he added. “It has been a lot of hard work over the past month or two, but it is fantastic that he has came here.
“He has a fantastic pedigree, in terms of the teams he has played with and the performances he has had and we are absolutely delighted.
“He is now the sixth player that we have signed this preseason.
“We hope to continue to strengthen for Gordon, for the challenges ahead, in terms of the title and in terms of the Champions League.”
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