It’s been a busy summer at Celtic, and the dealing has continued into deadline day, as the club has confirmed that a move for Hibs striker Anthony Stokes has been finalized.
A brief statement on Celtic’s official website read: “Celtic Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Anthony Stokes from Hibernian. The Republic of Ireland internationalist has joined the club on a four-year deal.”
The 22-year-old first impressed in the SPL in the 2006/07 season, when the then-Arsenal starlet joined Falkirk on loan for the first half of the campaign and scored 14 goals in 16 games. Stokes was snapped up by Sunderland in January 2007 for 2m, but after failing to find his form at Sunderland and enduring unsuccessful loan spels at Sheffield United and Crystal Palace, Stoked returned to Scotland last summer, joining Hibs in a 500k deal.
He flourished at Hibs, netting 21 league goals and 23 in all competitions. That form piqued the interest of Celtic for the second time, as the Republic of Ireland international had been a target of the Bhoys before his move to Sunderland.
Stokes hasn’t turned down a second chance to move to Parkhead, and with fellow new signing Gary Hooper sidelined with a calf injury, Celtic manager Neil Lennon will be counting on Stokes to make an immediate impact.
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