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Who is Celtic’s new signing Jonathan Afolabi?

By Sourav Mahanty

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MAY 25: Celtic fans show their support during the Scottish Cup Final match between Heart of Midlothian and Celtic at Hampden Park on May 25, 2019 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MAY 25: Celtic fans show their support during the Scottish Cup Final match between Heart of Midlothian and Celtic at Hampden Park on May 25, 2019 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images) /
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Celtic announced the signing of former Southampton youth star, Jonathan Afolabi, earlier today. Here is everything you need to know about the 19-year-old who will wear #24 for the Hoops this season.

Celtic fans have been craving for signings all summer long after seeing one of their best players, Kieran Tierney, depart for Arsenal in a big money move to the Premier League. And while names like Birger Meling, Greg Taylor, Jordon Ibe, Fraser Forster and Victor Wanyama have been recently linked with the Hoops, almost out of the blue the club managed to complete the signing of Republic of Ireland under-19 international, Jonathan Afolabi.

Afolabi starred for the Republic of Ireland during the qualification phase of the Under-19 Euros scoring three goals in three games and then helped the boys in green to the semi-finals of the main tournament before seeing them eliminated by a strong Portugal side.

But his performances impressed the Celtic hierarchy enough to give him a three-year deal. Afolabi was present at Celtic Park last Saturday to see his new teammates get a 2-1 win over Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish League Cup.

Afolabi is available to play for both Ireland and Nigeria internationally. His parents came to Ireland from Nigeria in the early 2000s and after growing up in the country, Afolabi decided to turn up for the boys in green on the international stage as well. While growing up he idolised Didier Drogba and the Ivorian’s influence is clearly visible in the forward’s game.

Afolabi represented the likes of Shamrock Rovers, Lourdes Celtic and St Joseph’s Boys in his youth career before sealing a move to Southampton in 2016. In his last two seasons at the English club, he scored 4 goals each in 12 and 14 appearances respectively in the Premier League 2 Division 2. But he was released at the end of last season by Southampton after he was deemed surplus to requirements at the Premier League club.

One club’s loss is another’s gain as Celtic have now managed to snap up the 19-year-old forward, beating out the likes of Wolves and Crystal Palace in the process. They announced his signing earlier today on the club’s official website.

While Afolabi will not be a first-team player from the get go ahead of the likes of Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths, the Hoops will be hoping that as he develops, he will able to replicate the form and reach the immense potential that he has shown for the Irish national team at youth level.

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