Daniel Arzani: Manchester City winger joins Celtic on loan
Last updated on .From the section Celtic
Winger Daniel Arzani says he was attracted by the opportunity to work with Brendan Rodgers after completing his loan move to Celtic.
The Australia international, 19, has agreed a two-year loan to the Scottish champions from Manchester City.
It follows his transfer from Melbourne City to the Premier League champions earlier this month.
"The idea was put to me to come to Celtic and work with Brendan Rodgers," Arzani told the Celtic website.
"It was something I was very interested in doing, and when it became a reality, I was very excited."
The Iran-born winger, who has five caps, became the youngest player to make a World Cup appearance for Australia at this summer's tournament in Russia.
The winger came off the bench in the Socceroos' group matches against France, Denmark and Peru, and joins international colleague Tom Rogic at his new club.
"I gave Tom a call and had a chat with him about the club and everything was positive," Arzani said.
"Basically he said to me that if it wasn't so good, he wouldn't have signed an extension. Apparently, playing in front of the Celtic fans is absolutely amazing and I'm really excited about that."
Several Manchester City players have enjoyed fruitful loan stints with Celtic, including defender Jason Denayer, striker John Guidetti and winger Patrick Roberts.
Belgium defender Dedryck Boyata joined Celtic on a permanent transfer from the Premier League side in 2015, and French midfielder Olivier Ntcham followed last summer.
Arzani becomes Rodgers' fourth summer addition, following goalkeeper Scott Bain, defender Emilio Izaguirre and club-record signing Odsonne Edouard, a striker.
'The biggest Aussie talent since Harry Kewell' - analysis
Former Celtic and Australia striker Scott McDonald on Sportsound:
He is probably the most gifted talent we have had in Australian football since Harry Kewell. That is how much excitement there is around him and how quickly he has come through.
He impressed enough in his first season in the A-League to make the World Cup squad and for Manchester City to take him from Melbourne.
It is a big opportunity for him but he has not played any football since the World Cup so it is going to take him a while to get up to speed. He is going to have to strengthen up in terms of the physicality of the Scottish game.
He is a left winger, who can play in behind the striker as well. Having Tommy Rogic there should help him settle in. He is not scared, he will take players on and he has got a good set-piece on him as well.
It is building blocks for him here, but I think he will be more of an impact player initially.
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Paddy Roberts, who played with Celtic for two years, has now moved to La Liga to gain a different dimension to his game, something very few English sides could offer.
Anyway, deep rooted problem in defence with Kennedy's zonal marking and lack of centre back experience, needs sorting urgently!
I think every Celtic fan in Scotland knows full well this season is going to be a lot tougher than previous campaigns.
To fail to qualify for the CL is not on its own catastrophic but Celtic should be beating AEK Athens over 2 legs - now they need to have a decent run in the Europa League.
Rangers sadly are looking stronger as well as Hearts - 8 in a row is not looking to easy now.
McGinn was the player who would have made a big difference - poor negotiating by the Board thinking Hibs would roll over & sell him on the cheap was never ever going to work with a player who was clearly in demand.
Stop being cheap skates with other clubs in Scotland - pay the going rate & you will sign quality players.
"Australia got to Moscow, Scotland didn't so Arzani is a better player than any Scottish team has."
All the French players, Pogba and Co., actually won the world cup, SO, Using your warped sense of logic, that would imply that all the French players that ply their trade in the PL are far superior to the players that represented England in the same competition.
I wonder how they managed that? 🤔
Their ownership of multiple football clubs is one of many things that needs looking at in football
Stick with rugby league Dave...suits you better
No disrespect son but RIFC2012 haven't won any yet and Danny, on topic, is gonna make sure of that for another year...HH
Have you seen him play ? If so you will see age makes no diffrence.
Or you don't know the player , and just making a comment ?
Anyday of the week 😊
Can't disagree with that , but the board seem to be the only one's that can't see that.
Shame it lost us ( Celtic ) a place in the Champions League .
I’m sure once the loans are recalled the call of taxi for Gerrard will be heard,meanwhile Celtic will continue to win the league despite the fake crisis and the press slavering at Ibrox.