Celtic boss seals deal for Stokes

Celtic boss Neil Lennon has completed the signing of Anthony Stokes from Hibernian on a four-year deal for a reported fee of £1.2million. The Republic of Ireland international becomes Lennon's 11th signing of the summer.The 22-year-old striker, who has won three caps for his country, was top scorer for Hibs last season with 23 goals and was presented at a press conference at Celtic Park later on Tuesday afternoon.Stokes believes his decision to turn Celtic down as a teenager has been vindicated as he arrived at Parkhead a more mature person and better player.Stokes chose Sunderland in January 2007 after then Black Cats manager Roy Keane drove to Scotland to persuade him to reject a move to Celtic.Stokes endured a largely unhappy spell on and off the park in Wearside, netting five goals in 38 games and being loaned out to Crystal Palace and Sheffield United.But he rejuvenated his career following a move to Hibernian last summer with his 23-goal return earning him another chance to sign for his boyhood heroes.And the 22-year-old is confident he is now in a better position to establish himself as a Celtic player."I look upon the move down south positively," the Republic of Ireland international said."It was good experience for me down there and hopefully I'm coming here a better player."I went to Sunderland and made a lot of mistakes and I'm glad I didn't do that here because I wouldn't have the opportunity that I have today to come here and hopefully score a lot of goals and try to be here for as long as possible."I was probably a bit more immature then. I'm sure I still have a lot more to learn but coming here on the back of the goals I scored last year with Hibs will give me confidence as well."Stokes added: "It was very hard (to turn down Celtic) but it was just one of those things. I went to speak to Keane and Sunderland had a chance of getting up."We won the league and got into the Premier League. At that age, getting the chance to play in the Premier League was vital."The second chance at Celtic Park owes a lot to Hibs boss John Hughes, who signed the striker for the second time last year.The Irishman netted 16 goals in 18 games while on loan at Falkirk from Arsenal in 2006 and the former Bairns boss revived his career after moving to Easter Road."I knew I was going to have to start from the bottom again and build myself up," Stokes said."I wasn't playing any games, even reserves. I was lucky a club like Hibs came in for me."I was sitting in Sunderland rotting away and as soon as the gaffer was in for me again, John Hughes, I knew it would be a good move for me and he would get the best out of me."Last year showed that. He kick-started my career when I went on loan, I was only 17. It worked out well and he knew what I could offer."We got into Europe and it was brilliant for me, I had a great time there."The gaffer and the board have been very supportive of me coming here and I owe them a lot, especially the gaffer giving me another chance up here. Hopefully the goals went some way to repaying him."Now Stokes wants to settle at Celtic after making first-team appearances for six different clubs in his short career."Hopefully I can do well and settle here," said Stokes, who is away on Republic of Ireland Under-21 duty for the rest of the week. "It's been in the papers for the last few days how many clubs I have had."If it was up to me I would sign a contract for the rest of my career."

Source: Team_Talk