Republic of Ireland international Adam Idah scored nine goals in 19 games during his loan spell at Celtic last season; Scottish Premiership champions have signed the striker in a permanent deal worth £9.5m from Norwich, with Idah agreeing a five-year contract
Thursday 15 August 2024 19:44, UK
Striker Adam Idah has revealed he found out about his £9.5m move from Norwich to Celtic on Sky Sports.
The Republic of Ireland international has signed a five-year contract at the Scottish Premiership champions following a successful loan spell last season.
Idah temporarily joined Brendan Rodgers's side in February and scored nine goals in 19 games - including the "unbelievable" late winner in their Scottish Cup final against Rangers - as Celtic added to their league title success.
The 23-year-old had remained in a social media group chat with the Celtic players during weeks of negotiations between the clubs and speaking at Celtic Park said: "I was back and forth with a couple of them (players), but I didn't really know what was going on myself.
"I said to my agents, you do the work and you just let me know when it's done.
"I kind of actually found out on Sky Sports that it got done. It was just in my house, and my mum rang me.
"And about an hour after they (agents) rang me, saying it's agreed - and I'd already seen it on TV. I'm just delighted to be here now."
Idah insists that becoming one of Celtic's most expensive signings "doesn't really faze" him.
It is understood Celtic will pay Norwich a near-record fee of £8.5m, with £1m worth of add-ons and a 15 per cent sell-on clause included in the deal.
He said: "No, not really. I only found out just a while ago that was the case.
"It's the price tag. I'm here to play football and regardless of how much a player is, I still have the same goal and same drive to do the best I can for this club and be as successful as we can.
"It wasn't my choice of the fee. I don't think there's much pressure on me with the fee, like I said, I wasn't the one that asked for that. I am here to win football games. "
It was widely publicised during the summer that Idah missed a flight to Norwich's pre-season training camp in Austria but he stressed that it had nothing to do with engineering a return to Parkhead.
He said: "It had nothing to do with me trying to leave.
"It was just a genuine mistake and I apologised to Norwich for that. And they know it had nothing to do with trying to leave the club or trying to force a move. It was nothing to do with that.
"It was my fault, and it got resolved pretty quick.
"Norwich as a club gave me everything. It's where I grew up, I went there as a boy and left as a man.
"I've got nothing but good things to say about Norwich. They've treated me great. These things happen in football, it's time to move on."
After securing his fourth summer signing, following Paulo Bernardo - who is also back after his successful loan - plus goalkeepers Viljami Sinisalo and Kasper Schmeichel, Rodgers said: "We are delighted to welcome Adam back to Celtic on a permanent basis and we are so pleased that he has agreed this new five-year contract with the club.
"The club has done brilliantly to secure this long-term deal. We are investing in a player of real quality who will be crucial for us over the next few years.
"He is a player who already has given us so much, performing fantastically for us on loan and really delivering for the club and our fans last season.
"He played a pivotal role in our success last year and I know he can be hugely important for us again.'
"Adam has fantastic attributes and he is a dynamic, hungry, committed player who can make a real difference.
"Really importantly, Adam feels at home at Celtic, he has a love and passion for the club and I know he will be giving everything to once again bring our fans success."
