Soccer

McGeady signs five-year Celtic deal

After receiving the club's player of the year award on Wednesday Celtic winger Aiden McGeady has signed a new five-year contract…

Thu Jul 17 2008 - 01:00

After receiving the club's player of the year award on Wednesday Celtic winger Aiden McGeady has signed a new five-year contract with the Celtic.

The 21-year-old Republic of Ireland winger was also named the league's player of the year for the part he played in helping Gordon Strachan's side to anbother Scottish Premier League title.

Chief executive Peter Lawwell told the club's official website: "Our priority has always been to try to keep our best players at the club and the board is delighted to support Gordon in his plans for the future by securing Aiden on this long-term agreement."

Newcastle were among the clubs to have been linked with the skilful wide man, but he has consistently stated he views Celtic Park as the best place to develop.

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An 18-year-old McGeady scored on his debut for Celtic in 2004 and he has now made 158 appearances for the club.

He scored eight goals last season as Celtic won their third consecutive title and was voted the Clydesdale Bank Premier League player of the year.

The Glasgow-born player follows Scott McDonald in signing a five-year deal this summer.

Lawwell added: "Aiden's performances in recent seasons have made him the outstanding player in Scottish football and clearly we are delighted that he has committed his long-term future to the club.

"It is particularly satisfying that Aiden has become such a success having come through the ranks of our youth development programme.

"While he himself deserves immense praise for all he has done, he is also a real tribute to all those people who have assisted his development including, of course, the great Tommy Burns.

"With Scotland's player of the year in Aiden McGeady and the SPL's top scorer Scott McDonald having now agreed new extended contracts, we are delighted that we have secured the services of two of the finest players in Scotland.

"Clearly, we will also continue to look to make quality additions to our squad and we are pleased to have done this in recent days with the signing of Georgios Samaras, someone who was so crucial to our success last season."