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Celtic snap up Republic of Ireland Under-19 forward Jonathan Afolabi

The forward shone at the European Under-19 Championship.

Celtic have signed Republic of Ireland Under-19 international Jonathan Afolabi.

The 19-year-old was at Celtic Park to watch his new team beat Dunfermline 2-1 in the Betfred Cup.

The forward left Southampton's academy at the end of last season and had been linked with the likes of Crystal Palace, Lokomotiv Moscow and Wolves after helping the Republic reach the semi-finals of the European Under-19 Championship.

"We have signed him on a free transfer and he is one that's a development," Celtic manager Neil Lennon said.

"He is sort of on the cusp (of the first-team reckoning). He will come in and train with us and we will get a good look at him over the next few weeks and see what we want to do with him in terms of his progression.

"He had a great tournament in the Euros. He is raw but he has good potential."

Lennon would not give much away on other more immediate first-team targets after being linked with the likes of Rosenborg left-back Birger Meling and Olympiacos right-back Omar Elabdellaoui.

When asked if he could have a new addition before Thursday's Europa League clash against AIK, Lennon said: "Possibly. Might be cup-tied though."

Both Rosenborg and Olympiacos are through to the Champions League play-offs.

Meanwhile, Celtic have lost highly-rated 16-year-old defender Liam Morrison to Bayern Munich.

Lennon had dismissed the prospect of the Scotland youth international leaving the club earlier this summer but Bayern have announced his arrival on their official website.

Bayern academy manager Jochen Sauer said: "Liam had many offers from well-known European clubs. We are very glad that he has chosen us.

"He is a robust, physically strong defender who also brings a lot of quality with his play."

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Celtic manager Neil Lennon pictured on August 13, 2019
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1RangersRangers110074245078
2Celtic000080265478
3Hearts101046341263
4Kilmarnock10104334952
5St Mirren10013945-643
6Dundee00004454-1041
Relegation Group
1Hibernian11004752-542
2Aberdeen11003649-1338
3Motherwell10014652-637
4St Johnstone10012549-2431
5Ross County10013258-2630
6Livingston11002459-3521
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718


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