Bernardo completes permanent move to Celtic

Paulo Bernardo will continue his career with Celtic

Benfica midfielder Paulo Bernardo has returned to Celtic in a permanent move, agreeing a five-year deal with the transfer subject to international clearance.

The 22-year-old midfielder spent last season on loan with the Scottish champions, who had an option to buy.

But negotiations dragged on over a transfer fee since the end of the season.

Bernardo, who has been capped up to under-21 level by Portugal, played 33 times for Celtic last season and scored four goals. He won Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup winners' medals.

"It’s amazing for me and it’s a big step in my career," he told CelticTV.

"I really enjoyed last season when we won the championship and the cup, so it was great for me – my first two titles in my career, too.

"I love the club, I love the fans and I love the city, too, so it’s very, very nice to be here again."

And manager Brendan Rodgers added: "Paulo made a great impact for us at some real pivotal moments, delivering for us when he needed to for the team and we are sure that he can bring that same determination, ability and quality to us over the next number of years."

Denmark midfielder Matt O'Riley has been linked both Atalanta and Southampton this summer, with the latter's manager, Russell Martin, expressing his admiration for the 23-year-old with whom he worked at MK Dons.

However, Rodgers told Sky Sports on Wednesday: "No player will leave here unless it is for the right valuation and, at this moment in time, there's been no team has been anywhere near that."

Rodgers has no fears about O'Riley's attitude heading into Sunday's Scottish Premiership opener at home to Kilmarnock.

"It has actually been straightforward with Matt because he is such a great professional," he said.

"I think the challenge for teams coming to a place like Celtic is that they can sometimes place a value on the league and not the player.

"Obviously there are riches in other leagues greater than ours that allow players to improve the conditions of their lives - we all understand that.

"But I think it's really important, from my perspective, if a player does leave here, that they pay the value for the player. I've worked in the Premier League and I understand the levels there and what the values are there."

Meanwhile, Celtic are still awaiting a decision on Adam Idah's future on the 23-year-old striker's return to Norwich City following his loan last season.

The Republic of Ireland international was left of our the Championship club's friendly with Hoffenheim for disciplinary reasons by head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup after he "reported late" for a team flight on Sunday.

"Adam is a Norwich player and I said he did fantastic with us last season and we'll just see what happens in the coming weeks," was all Rodgers would offer on that one.

However, he stressed that Celtic "still have a lot of work to do" to be "much stronger" than last season come the end of the summer transfer window.