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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that Kieran Tierney will be rejoining the Scottish giants from Arsenal.
The Gunners signed the burgeoning left-back in the summer of 2019 and didn't take long to emerge as a fan's favourite in north London. Signed by Unai Emery, Tierney developed into a key cog within Mikel Arteta's framework but injuries saw the Spaniard lose faith in the flying full-back, and his influence waned after Oleksandr Zinchenko joined the club in 2022.
Tierney has been limited to sporadic appearances since, and he spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad. Arsenal were keen to sell him last summer, but a knee injury sustained at Euro 2024 deterred buyers.
His departure has been inevitable for quite some time, and Arsenal won't be garnering a fee from his sale this summer.
Brendan Rodgers confirms Kieran Tierney Celtic reunion
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has confirmed the club have agreed a pre-contract with Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney 🍀 pic.twitter.com/qJzfbCMPFR
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 28, 2025
Celtic have long been linked with a reunion given Tierney's contract situation. He's been able to speak with interested clubs since the start of the year, but there's only been one feasible destination for the 27-year-old.
The runaway Scottish Premiership leaders have already reunited with Jota this window, and Fabrizio Romano confirmed Tierney will eventually rejoin Celtic six years after his initial departure.
However, Arsenal aren't likely to let him go this month and Tierney is expected to return to Glasgow in the summer. The news has since been confirmed by Celtic boss Rodgers (via Romano): “Ideally it’s happen now but he’s still an Arsenal player.
“I think everyone is agreed that it will definitely take place in the summer. If we can do it beforehand, then great!”
Tierney has started just one game this season and appeared off the bench in a couple more. Injuries to Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu have offered the Scot a chance, but he doesn't have a long-term future in north London. Instead, Tierney will return home and aim to build on the legacy he cultivated at Celtic Park before moving to the Premier League.
The left-back burst through the youth ranks and blossomed into a star at Celtic, spending four years in the senior set up and won eight major domestic honours. It's a great move for the 27-year-old, who deserves this wholesome switch after a tough few years. He'll be remembered rather fondly in these parts, even if the conclusion to his Arsenal career was entirely forgettable.