Source: Team_Talk
Ledley signs four-year Celtic deal
Celtic have confirmed the free transfer signing of Joe Ledley from Cardiff on a four-year deal after the Wales star rejected a move to Stoke.[LNB] The 23-year-old was the subject of interest from the Potters but opted to move to Celtic Park following several trips to Glasgow for talks.[LNB]The Wales midfielder will now join up with his new team-mates on the club's pre-season tour of North America.[LNB]Ledley is Neil Lennon's third signing of the summer following the arrival of full-backs Charlie Mulgrew and Cha Du-ri.[LNB]The player told his new club's online Channel 67: "Celtic is a massive club. I'm looking forward to the season and working with Neil and his coaching staff.[LNB]"I want to come here and win trophies. This is a great club and I'm looking forward to playing in front of a Celtic's great fans every week.[LNB]"This is the right time to leave Cardiff and look at my career.[LNB]"Hopefully we can win the league and cups and it gives me the opportunity to play in Europe too."[LNB]The 32-times capped midfielder, whose Cardiff contract had expired after the end of last season, had been linked with a number of Barclays Premier League clubs including West Brom, Liverpool and Blackburn.[LNB]Cardiff would have expected upwards of £2million compensation if he had signed for another team in the English leagues but FIFA's cross-border transfer rules mean he is able to move to Celtic for free.[LNB]It is believed Celtic delayed confirmation of his signing until after the World Cup final to ensure the Welsh club were unable to claim so-called training compensation, due if a player aged under 24 leaves a club during the season.[LNB]Lennon said: "We really are delighted to welcome Joe to Celtic.[LNB]"Clearly, there were a number of clubs very interested in signing him so we are very pleased he has chosen to come to Celtic, somewhere I think he can be a tremendous success."[LNB]Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell added: "We are pleased to have beaten off competition from a number of English Premier League clubs for his signature and we are sure he will be a great addition to our squad."
