Marco Tilio: Celtic have completed the signing of the Melbourne City forward

Celtic have announced the signing of Marco Tilio on a five-year deal subject to international clearance; the forward scored nine A-League goals last season for Melbourne City; Brendan Rodgers has signed Odin Thiago Holm since returning to the club

Celtic have announced the signing of Australian international Marco Tilio from Melbourne City.

The 21-year-old winger has agreed a five-year deal at Celtic Park and becomes the second signing of Brendan Rodgers’ second spell at the club.

Tilio, who follows a host of Australians to pull on the green and white hoops, told Celtic TV: “I’m excited that I’m going to Europe, coming to a big club and team, and I’m super- excited

“I hope to bring all my qualities, pick up players in and around the box, help the team contribute to goals with assists and hopefully put some in the back of the net as well.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for myself and to see the Aussies go there and do well at such a prestigious club, it’s a massive opportunity for myself that I can’t turn down.

“And being close to those guys, Aaron Mooy and Tommy Rogic, in the national team camp over the years, obviously helped make my decision easier.”

Tilio joined Melbourne three years ago from Sydney FC but always had eyes on a move to Europe.

He added: “It’s always been a plan since I moved to Melbourne three years ago.

“It’s my plan to go and do well, and hopefully continue to go to different and bigger and better things, and now I think it’s time for me to go to Europe and really challenge myself.

‘And I’m really excited about the opportunity to come to this club and hopefully put my best foot forward and play some good football.’

“I think it’s a huge opportunity to be part of a team that plays in the Champions League, and to have a winning mentality in bringing trophies. I think that’s important.

“And as a player that’s what you want to be a part of and what you want to do is win trophies, win games. For me it’s always been about being here in Australia and I want to go there and do the same thing.”

Tilio, who will make the trip from Down Under to Scotland next week, joins Odin Thiago Holm as the club’s second summer arrival.

Rodgers: A good time to step up

News on Sky Sports it is understood the club’s board will support Brendan Rodgers in the transfer market to help him deliver domestic success and compete in the Champions League.

Celtic have already signed midfielder Odin Thiago Holm on a five-year deal, as he becomes Rodgers’ first signing since returning to Glasgow and the Parkhead boss is keen to follow suit.

“It’s a good time to reinforce whenever you’ve done well,” he said. “It’s not going to be a lot of numbers.

“Over the last couple of years they have built a squad, so it’s a case of developing that and adding quality where we can. I’m really excited about the players here because it’s still a young squad and there’s still a lot of growth. .”

What is Celtic’s schedule?

Celtic’s players will return for pre-season training at the club’s Lennoxtown base before jetting out to Japan on tour in July.

Ange Postecoglou’s former club Yokohama F Marinos will be their first opponent on July 19 followed by a match against Gamba Osaka on July 22.

Rodgers’ side travel to South Korea to face Wolves at the Suwon World Cup Stadium on July 26.

Champions Celtic begin their title defense at home to Ross County in the opening game of the 2023/24 Scottish Premiership season on Saturday August 5, live on Sky Sports.

Celtic fixtures: The defending champions start against Ross County

Brendan Rodgers was given fixtures against Ross County, Aberdeen and St Johnstone in his first month back at Celtic Park as he tries to emulate Ange Postecoglou’s treble-winning exploits last season.

Celtic travel to Ibrox on September 3 for the first Old Firm match of the season, with Rangers travel to Parkhead on December 30 – both games will be live on Sky Sports – ahead of the third meeting between the rivals in Glasgow on April 6.

Follow the summer transfer window on Sky Sports

Who will be on the move this summer when the transfer window opens on June 14 and closes at 11pm on September 1 in England and midnight in Scotland?

Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news and gossip on our dedicated Transfer Center blog on Sky Sports’ digital platforms. You can also catch up on ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News.

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