Wing wizard Roberts rejoins Celtic on loan from Manchester City

The England U20 international will wear the club’s iconic number 7 shirt this term.

CELTIC HAVE CONFIRMED Patrick Roberts has rejoined the club on a season-long loan from Manchester City.

The 20-year-old enjoyed a highly-successful 18-month loan spell at Parkhead before returning to his parent club this summer, scoring 17 goals in 60 appearances and playing a major role in four trophy triumphs, including last season’s domestic treble.

Having signed a new loan deal with the Hoops this afternoon, Roberts told Celtic TV that the opportunity to pick up where he left off in front of the Celtic faithful, as well as to work under Brendan Rodgers once more, was too tantalising to turn down.

“All the support and love I have been getting has been brilliant,” the English winger said. “I love it here and to be back is great and I’m thankful to be finally here.

“We had a good end to the season, which obviously helped, and playing for these great fans was also a factor coming back. It’s great to be back and I can’t wait to get going again.

The manager has been brilliant with me. He obviously wanted me back and so did Celtic. I had a decision to make after pre-season and when that came around Brendan Rodgers was obviously a huge factor in that. He is a top manager. I worked under him all of last year and I believe I can develop under him even more and become a better player.

Roberts will this season wear Celtic’s iconic No.7 jersey, worn in the past by club greats such as ‘Jinky’ Jimmy Johnstone and Henrik Larsson, having donned 27 since his arrival in Glasgow back in January of 2016.

📝7⃣ Roberts Returns! @patrick7roberts rejoins #CelticFC on a season-long loan. Welcome back, Paddy! #PR7

➡️ https://t.co/kGTkbVTzJi pic.twitter.com/sPZgkgln59
— Celtic Football Club (@celticfc) August 28, 2017

The England U20 continued: “It’s a massive honour to wear this iconic Celtic number. I know some of the great players who have worn it in the past and I will wear it with pride,” and confirmed that he had “an eye on Celtic to see who they got” while watching Thurday’s Champions League draw back in Manchester.