Amido Balde

Says a lot about John Park's work and the importance of it, that he was the one at the stadium today, when the deal was finalised.

 

That's why it took all week to finish the deal. He's been watching 3 years worth of Celtic matches since Monday.

 

He's a Celtic scholar now. :icon_mrgreen:

 

And a talkceltic moderator should he choose to join us here!

 

Welcome to Celtic

 

Wonder how much playing time he'll be getting next year.

 

You get an idea of the size of this guy when you consider the fact that John Park's 6 foot 8!

 

Balde finally joins Celtic, and straight away wants to follow in Larsson's footsteps


By Brian Marjoribanks
PUBLISHED: 00:54, 14 June 2013 | UPDATED: 00:54, 14 June 2013

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Amido Balde has finally concluded his £1.5million move to Celtic — before training his sights on following in the footsteps of Parkhead strike legends Henrik Larsson and Jorge Cadete.
The 6ft 4in front man had jetted in to Glasgow on Monday but the four-year deal was sealed only yesterday evening after the personal intervention of Vitoria Guimaraes chairman Julio Mendes, who arrived in the city to help Balde finalise his switch from the Portuguese side.
Now Neil Lennon’s first summer signing — who says he models himself on Paris St Germain’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Tottenham’s Emmanuel Adebayor and Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez — can’t wait to start scoring the goals that could win him a place in the hearts of Celtic fans.

Summer spree starts: Balde is Lennon's first signing of the summer



‘I’m very happy to get the paperwork completed and finally sign for Celtic,’ said the Guinea-Bissau-born 22-year-old, who was handed the No 17 jersey.
‘These delays can happen at big clubs but now I’m here, I’m going to work hard to win trophies and play in the Champions League.
Interested: Balde was also being followed by Crystal Palace

‘I’ve seen some of the famous Celtic strikers of the past, such as Cadeteand Larsson, and I know I have a big responsibility to be like them.
‘Cadete also played for the same club as me, Sporting Lisbon, and he was a very good striker — but I’d like to achieve more than him.
‘So I’m going to work very hard and, one day, I hope to become like these great players.’
Balde, who scored nine goals in 27 appearances for Guimaraes last season as they won the Portuguese Cup, watched in wonder as Celtic’s past campaign saw them reach the last 16 of the Champions League at the expense of Benfica.
When the Scottish champions made their move, there was only one place the former Portugal Under-20 international — who has designs on representing his country in Rio next summer — was going to end up.
He said: ‘I watched a couple of the Celtic games in theChampions League group stages, but when I saw them beat Barcelona I knew this would be a big club to sign for.
‘What I would say to the Celtic fans is that I am a target man, but I can also play football.
‘I had a few favourite players when I was growing up that I modelled myself on. Players like Ibrahimovic,Adebayor and Mario Gomez,but I don’t want to talk toomuch about my qualities.
‘Celtic fans will see on the pitch what kind of player I am.

New investment: Balde arrives at Celtic Park for £1.5million




‘But I certainly won’t have a problem with the physical nature of the Scottish game. I’m sure I can handle it, I am strong enough. I’m looking forward to it.
‘I also think reaching the World Cup with Portugal is a possibility if I do well here. That’s a real target for me, but I know I need to be successful with Celtic first.
‘I was released by Sporting Lisbon when I was a young boy, but it’s up to me to prove at this big club that I can become a big player.’

Campaign: Balde scored nine goals in 27 appearances for Guimaraes last season

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...tic-Vitoria-Guimaraes-1-5m.html#ixzz2W985uS00
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
​

 

Good luck to the lad, hopefully he'll come flying out the blocks

 

I think that's very important at Celtic. Strikers need to get off to a good start as fans tend to get on the players backs pretty quickly

 

Couple of early goals, settles the nerves, the players confidence soars and the supporters are soon singing his name.

 

Four year contract could prove useful if he does turn out to be a star.

 

He looks like he has a quite a shot on him. Really hope he pans out here, he looks to have all the tools. From his highlight videos he looks like he was a bit unlucky with a few of them, could have easily had a handful more goals.

 

Only seen a couple of youtube clips but I like what I've seen..He looks exactly what we need,he's quick,strong,good in the air,decent with ball into feet,he can dribble as well..His finishing doesn't look great but that will improve with the amount of chances he will get here..If he has the correct attitude I've no doubt he will be a good signing..

 

Welcome to Celtic, lets all hope he's the type of player we've so longed for since Sutton left

 

Good to see Lennon adding that physicality we are missing up front, we have not had this type of striker for a while. Hopefully Balde does the business for us, I like the look of him.

 

Yes - it's almost as if the final pieces of the Lennon's Celtic puzzle are being put in to place.

Next up - a solid defender and a silky midfielder to link up with attack :smiley-laughing002::smiley-laughing002::smiley-laughing002::icon_mrgreen:

 

http://m.stv.tv/sport/football/club...ido-balde-my-style-is-like-emmanuel-adebayor/

press conference last night

 

Does he go by "Amido", then? The same way Lassad was Lassad Nouioui but went by "Lassad"?

 

Izaguirre has Emilio on his top but everycunt still calls him Izaguirre though.