Kieran Tierney re-joins Celtic on a free transfer after being released from Arsenal

Kieran Tierney has rejoined Celtic on a five-year deal following his release by Arsenal at the end of this season.

Tierney celebrates scoring against Southampton in his final appearance for the Gunners. Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images

The 28-year-old, who came through the Scottish champions' academy, left the Glasgow side in 2019 for the Gunners in a £25 million deal.

During his time in North London, Tierney made 144 appearances for the club across the back line, scoring six times, including one in his final game for the club. He also won the FA Cup with the Gunners in 2020.

However, due to injuries, the defender lost his spot in the starting XI and spent time on loan at Real Sociedad in 2023-24, where he made 22 appearances across all competitions for the Spanish side.

This season, the Scottish international made 20 appearances for Arsenal, with the majority coming in the second half of the campaign due to a hamstring problem that kept him out until December. However, he was  released when his contract expired this summer.

Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Tierney will be reunited with Brendan Rodgers, who coached him during his first senior stint at the Hoops.

Speaking to Celtic's website, Tierney said: "I spoke with the manager, and obviously I had worked with him before and I've always kept in touch with him. He's one of the best, so I'm so lucky and grateful that he's given me the chance to come back again.

"When you move away from home, you grow up, you learn different things. I was in Spain for a year, learning a different language and playing in a different league, so I'm definitely a different person.

"My ambition is just for Celtic to be as successful as possible, retain our place at the top, and continue to win trophies and do well for Celtic."