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Celtic new boy Joe Ledley reveals he snubbed Premier League after 'falling in love' with club
Winger hoping to follow in footsteps of past Welsh greats...
29 Jul 2010 17:14:00
By Matt Monaghan
New signing Joe Ledley has confirmed it was love at first sight when he visited Celtic, and he subsequently had no problem spurning several Premier League advances.
Ledley, 23, was linked to a number of sides in England after he let his contract at Cardiff City expire this summer. A move to Stoke City seemed close before a last-minute trip to Parkhead saw him change his mind and seal a move north of the border.
Speaking to the Daily Record, Ledley said: "There were a couple of English teams interested in me at the end of last season. But when I went to talk to Celtic I fell in love with the stadium right away.
"The first moment I went inside the front door I thought, 'This is the club for me.' I'm still young and learning the game and Celtic is the place to do that."
After waving goodbye to his boyhood club, the Wales international has praised the impact boss Neil Lennon and his backroom staff - which includes Johan Mjallby and Alan Thompson - have had during his short stay.
"They've been brilliant. They're the guys you have to listen to," he stated.
"They have been there and done it for Celtic. They know more about football than I do so I'll take all advice they give."
The winger has followed the example of fellow countrymen John Hartson and Craig Bellamy in making the move to Glasgow. And he hopes he can make a similar impact in the Scottish Premier League.
"Craig is a great player and John was as well. Hopefully I can follow in their footsteps," Ledley added.
"It'll help me with the Welsh national side if I'm playing every week with Celtic. I can improve my football in Scotland.
"When I spoke to the manager before I signed he said his philosophy was to play football and attack. But I've been here long enough to know there are great players and a high level of ambition in the squad."
| Bet: | Returns: | Dundee Utd XI £120.00 | Draw £12.00 | Celtic £45.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Dundee Utd XI £150.00 | Draw £14.00 | Celtic £36.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Dundee Utd XI £50.00 | Draw £37.50 | Celtic £16.70 |
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Ledley, 23, was linked to a number of sides in England after he let his contract at Cardiff City expire this summer. A move to Stoke City seemed close before a last-minute trip to Parkhead saw him change his mind and seal a move north of the border.
Speaking to the Daily Record, Ledley said: "There were a couple of English teams interested in me at the end of last season. But when I went to talk to Celtic I fell in love with the stadium right away.
"The first moment I went inside the front door I thought, 'This is the club for me.' I'm still young and learning the game and Celtic is the place to do that."
After waving goodbye to his boyhood club, the Wales international has praised the impact boss Neil Lennon and his backroom staff - which includes Johan Mjallby and Alan Thompson - have had during his short stay.
"They've been brilliant. They're the guys you have to listen to," he stated.
"They have been there and done it for Celtic. They know more about football than I do so I'll take all advice they give."
The winger has followed the example of fellow countrymen John Hartson and Craig Bellamy in making the move to Glasgow. And he hopes he can make a similar impact in the Scottish Premier League.
"Craig is a great player and John was as well. Hopefully I can follow in their footsteps," Ledley added.
"It'll help me with the Welsh national side if I'm playing every week with Celtic. I can improve my football in Scotland.
"When I spoke to the manager before I signed he said his philosophy was to play football and attack. But I've been here long enough to know there are great players and a high level of ambition in the squad."
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