Kundai Benyu: Celtic are bigger than Tottenham Hotspur
Benyu sat down to watch Celtic face Aberdeen on May 27 oblivious to the Scottish champions’ interest but ended up cheering his future team-mates on as they clinched the treble.
The 19-year-old has now officially joined Celtic after signing a four-year deal after rejecting a new contract offer from Ipswich.
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Benyu told Celtic TV: “I was in my friend’s house in North London actually watching the Scottish Cup final - Celtic and Aberdeen - when my agent called me and told me Celtic were interested. I was speechless and couldn’t believe it. And from then on, it all went pretty quickly.
“During the game I got the call, around 60 to 70 minutes in. After I got that phone-call I was more or less supporting Celtic - and I was buzzing when Celtic scored that late goal, which was a very good goal.”
The London-born midfielder scored five goals on loan with Vanarama National League side Aldershot in the second half of last season and was linked with the likes of Tottenham, West Ham and Aston Villa.
Benyu had previously been allowed to play for Spurs in a European youth tournament but he felt Celtic under Brendan Rodgers was the right place to develop.
“I know I’m joining one of the biggest clubs in the world, with 60,000 fans at every home game, which is crazy,” he said.
“In my opinion, Celtic are bigger than all of those clubs who were interested in me. And the manager as well persuaded me. The gaffer has helped a lot of young players in the past like Raheem Sterling and Jordan Ibe, so I’m hoping to be a part of that list.
“That was the main factor, really, because it shows the gaffer’s put faith in me and he trusts that he sees me in his team and that I can improve as a player.
“My ambition is to get into the first-team squad by the start of the season, and do the best that I can and improve as a player under the gaffer.”