Celtic sign Bangura on four-year deal but Diawara interest cools

Last night the Parkhead club were still hoping to offload Shaun Maloney to Wigan Athletic, although reports of the possible departure of Georgios Samaras to Sunderland were not given credence at the English club. And Celtic’s interest in another target, Maritimo’s Senegalese striker Baba Diawara, was ended – for this window at least – after the Portuguese club reported visa problems.

Celtic were also linked yesterday with France international David Trezeguet, but the 33-year-old, whose contract with Spanish club Hercules expired this summer, has chosen instead to join Baniyas in the United Arab Emirates for a reported annual salary of £1.4m.

Bangura, a 22-year-old from Sierra Leone, was recommended by former Celtic player Henrik Larsson, who saw him play in Sweden last season. “I said that Mohamed is a clever, intelligent player,” Larsson said. “He is quick and strong, even if he isn’t even 180cm tall. And most importantly he knows how to score.”

Although flattered by the compliments paid to him by Larsson, Bangura insisted that did not put him under any extra pressure, and said he wanted to bring “joy” to the team.

“It is very flattering to be recommended by Henrik Larsson, and it’s a very good feeling,” Bangura said.

“I know all about Henrik and what a great player he was for Celtic, and I’m looking forward to joining up with my new team-mates and working hard to do well at Celtic and help the club be successful. But I don’t feel any pressure. I’m just very happy and I’m looking forward to the move. I am delighted to be joining a club the size of Celtic.

“I will try my best, but I can’t be Henrik. I can only be Mohammed.

“I want to bring joy to the team, and I want to bring joy to myself. I want to give them what they need. Celtic are a step forward for me, and this was the right time for me to make the move.”

Bangura, who will join his new team-mates next week, is currently on international duty, and hopes to be involved when his country play South Africa next Tuesday. It will be his first time in Scotland when he does arrive, but he is confident of fitting in quickly.

“I will be over soon, but first I have to play for my country,” he said. “From there I’ll go straight to Scotland and join up with Celtic.

“I feel good. I’ve played in Europe for a while now, so I feel ready. I’m here to play, so I will fight for a starting place.”

Celtic manager Neil Lennon said the club had been tracking the player for more than a year, and had heard good reports of him in general, not just from Larsson. “We believe Mohamed is a player of real quality and someone who has the potential to make a big contribution to Celtic,” Lennon told his club’s