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Alex Valle: Celtic sign Barcelona defender on loan

The 20-year-old is Celtic's third new signing this summer; the transfer window closes at 11pm on Friday

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Celtic's newest recruit Alex Valle reacts to the club's Champions League draw, explains why he joined from Barcelona, and looks ahead to facing Rangers in the Old Firm.

Celtic have signed defender Alex Valle on a season-long loan from Barcelona.

The highly rated 20-year-old, who spent last season on loan with Levante, signed a new deal at Barca before completing his move to the Scottish champions.

He is the third new player to join Celtic this season alongside Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo, while Adam Idah and Paulo Bernardo both completed moves after loan spells last term.

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 06: Barcelona defender Alex Valle (12) dribbles up field during the Barcelona versus AC Milan 2024 Soccer Champions Tour match on August 6, 2024 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)
Image: Valle has also signed a contract extension until the summer of 2026 at Barcelona with the option of two further seasons

The Hoops sold Matt O'Riley to Brighton for a Scottish transfer record this week and manager Brendan Rodgers has vowed to make more signings ahead of Friday's 11pm transfer deadline.

Valle, who played 29 times in the Spanish second tier last season, will provide competition for Greg Taylor.

"I'm very excited, it's a great opportunity to come to this historic club," Valle said.

"They have given me a lot of confidence to come here, so I will try to do my best to return the confidence.

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"I've heard a lot about the fans and what we can experience in this stadium, so I'm just excited to see it in real life.

"The manager [Brendan Rodgers] gave me a lot of confidence to come here. He told me that he has watched some games in Barca and Levante, so I'm really happy to be here and looking forward to training with the team.

"I would say this way of playing is the best for my style and for what I like. I've been learning it in the Barca academy, so I'm looking forward to playing."

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 16: Brendan Rodgers during a Celtic training session at the Lennoxtown Training Centre, on August 16, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
Image: Brendan Rodgers has vowed to strengthen his Celtic squad in the final week of the transfer window

Rodgers added: "We're delighted to have landed Alex on this season-long loan as we continue to strengthen the squad for the season ahead.

"His footballing style will complement our attacking play as well as giving us more options in our backline.

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"Alex has been brought up in a real high-quality footballing environment learning all the good habits and skills associated with any top team. He is a player with some tremendous attributes.

"He has performed really well for Levante last season, been around Barcelona's first team this year already and he is a welcome and quality addition to our squad."

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