Celtic sign Dutch defender Hooiveld

Celtic announced Monday they’d signed Dutch defender Jos Hooiveld on a three-and-a-half-year contract.

The 26-year-old, the Glasgow giants’ first signing of the January transfer window, has arrived at Parkhead from Swedish club AIK Solna for a reported fee of two million pounds.

“I’m delighted to sign for a club of Celtic’s stature,” Hooiveld told Celtic’s official website.

“Celtic has a magnificent history and is a club with great tradition and great supporters.”

He added: “Having visited the club and spoken to the manager, I feel this is the right place for me and I am very much looking forward to meeting up with my new team-mates and hopefully playing my part in bringing success to the club and our fans.”

Celtic manager Tony Mowbray said: “We are very pleased to welcome Jos to Celtic. He is a player who we believe can make an important contribution to the club and someone we look forward to working with.”

Hooiveld helped AIK win the Swedish double in his only season with the club.

Celtic are currently second in the Scottish Premier League table, seven points behind leaders and arch-rivals Rangers.