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Oxlade-Chamberlain joins Celtic

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Celtic have completed the signing of free agent Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The former England international has joined the Bhoys on a deal until the end of the Scottish Premiership season, with an option to extend that by a further 12 months.

The 32-year-old has been without a club since having his Besiktas contract terminated by mutual consent back in August, and he has been seen training with former club Arsenal during the intervening period.

Speaking to Celtic TV, Oxlade-Chamberlain said: "It's been a busy few days but I'm delighted and really excited. 

"Speaking with the manager, it just felt like the perfect fit for me and I feel like I can come in and help out the lads.

"Just talking to the manager, and Shaun Maloney as well, who told the expectations on the club and what it means to play here, what our targets are and that he's going to push me.

"That's all the stuff I identify with and that's the environment I've always been in and been lucky enough to be in.

"It's exactly what I need. I need another challenge and lucky enough at a massive club like this. And they can help me get back to where I need to get to and, more importantly, I need to help the team achieve the goals we want to do."

Oxlade-Chamberlain signed for Arsenal from Southampton back in August 2011, and won the FA Cup three times with the Gunners before joining Liverpool ahead of the 2017-18 campaign.

He would become a Premier League and Champions League winner with the Reds under Jurgen Klopp, and also added medals in the EFL Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and Club World Cup.

Turkish giants Besiktas would sign him on a three-year contract in August 2023, with Oxlade-Chamberlain winning a Turkish Cup medal at the end of his debut campaign.

Celtic boss Martin O'Neill said: "We are really pleased to bring Alex to Celtic. He still has so much to offer the game, and I am sure he can add another dimension to us with his great ability and wealth of experience in the game.

"Above all, he is passionate and excited about this move himself, so we are welcoming a great player who is hungry to help us achieve as much as we can."

Celtic sit third in the Scottish Premiership title, six points adrift of surprise package Hearts, albeit they do have a game in hand over the Jambos.