Kieran Tierney has officially returned to Celtic after signing a five-year deal. The Scotland defender left Glasgow to join Arsenal in 2019, having come through the youth ranks at Celtic Park, but signed a pre-contract agreement with the Hoops earlier this year. His departure from Arsenal was confirmed last week, and he has now committed himself to the Scottish champions until 2030.
The 28-year-old, who made his first-team debut for Celtic more than a decade ago, said on celticfc.com: “Everybody’s known for a few months and just to be here with the Celtic strip on again just feels amazing.
“I spoke with the manager, and obviously I had worked with him before, and I’ve always kept in touch with him. He’s one of the best, so I’m so lucky and grateful that he’s given me the chance to come back again. My ambition is just for Celtic to be as successful as possible, retain our place at the top, and continue to win trophies and do well for Celtic.”
Kieran Tierney made 170 appearances for the Hoops in his first spell, winning 10 trophies, including three consecutive trebles. Most of those came under the management of Brendan Rodgers, who is also in his second stint at Celtic Park.
Rodgers said: “We are delighted to welcome Kieran back to Celtic. He is such a talented, high-quality player, and he will be a massive addition to our squad. Kieran has always had Celtic in his blood, and he is excited to be coming back to the place he loves.
“He is someone who has given so much to Celtic already, and I know he is so motivated and hungry to help the club bring more and more success to our fans.”
Kieran Tierney fell down the pecking order at Arsenal following a knee injury at the end of the 2021-22 season and spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Real Sociedad. He made 20 appearances for the Gunners in the second half of the season just finished, all but four of them from off the bench.
Kieran Tierney now joins the list of 17 players who have left the Gunners since the end of the season, with all of them leaving on free transfers, bar Nuno Tavares and Marquinhos, who joined Lazio and Cruzeiro respectively for undisclosed fees. Jorginho has completed a free transfer to Brazilian side Flamengo, while 13 Academy players have been released. They are Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, Khayon Edwards, Romari Forde, Jimi Gower, Jack Henry-Francis, Brian Okonkwo, Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand, Ismail Oulad M’Hand, Elian Quesada-Thorn, Jakai Fisher, Reece Clairmont, Max Kuczynski, and Zacariah Shuaib. Raheem Sterling and Neto have also departed after loan deals.
