Denmark captain Schmeichel joins Celtic

Brendan Rodgers and Kasper SchmeichelImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Brendan Rodgers and Kasper Schmeichel won an FA Cup together with Leicester City in 2021

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Celtic have signed Denmark captain Kasper Schmeichel on a one-year deal after the goalkeeper led his country to the last 16 of Euro 2024.

Schmeichel, 37, was a free agent after leaving Belgian club Anderlecht at the end of last season and replaces former Manchester City club-mate Joe Hart, who has retired.

The Dane has amassed 105 international caps and will join his new team-mates in the United States, where the Scottish champions are on tour.

"Celtic is one of the world’s proper football clubs, a massive name and a place of real passion and success," he told the club website. Celtic is what football is all about."

Schmeichel is best known for his 11-year stint with Leicester City, during which the club won an improbable Premier League crown in 2016.

He would later work with Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers at King Power Stadium, where the pair claimed the 2021 FA Cup and subsequent FA Community Shield.

"He (Rodgers) is a top manager and someone I can't wait to work with again," added the veteran goalkeeper. "I will be doing all I can to keep Celtic on top."

Schmeichel began his career at Manchester City, and spent a season in the Scottish top flight 17 years ago when he was loaned to Falkirk, before brief spells at Notts County and Leeds.

After leaving Leicester, he played a season at Nice, and moved to Belgium in the summer of 2023.

He made 33 appearances for Anderlecht, keeping eight clean sheets.