WHILE Dedryck Boyata being unveiled as Celtic's first signing for the new season is enough to stir interest among the club's support, the fact he has arrived from Manchester City is surely the main source of excitement.
The central defender has put pen to paper on a four-year deal at Parkhead as Ronny Deila, the club's manager, attempts to get a head start in his preparations ahead of another campaign and another early Champions League qualifying assault.
Boyata becomes the latest man to move from the Etihad to Celtic Park seeking game time, and given the success of the two who have travelled the path north before him, there are high hopes for the Glasgow club's latest acquisition.
Two of the stand-out performers last season for Celtic were Jason Denayer and John Guidetti. Centre-half Denayer, who is due to return to the Manchester club after his loan spell expired, was a rock next to Virgil van Dijk, while Swedish striker Guidetti, now out of contract, bagged 15 goals in green and white, including 11 in his first 12 games.
With that pedigree, great things will be expected of Boyata. But who is he?
Born in Uccle, Belgium, he first arrived at City eight years ago as a 16-year-old from FC Brussels, and would soon go on to clinch the FA Youth Cup with the Etihad outfit.
After making a name for himself in the reserves, Boyata got his first taste of first-team action in January 2010 in a 1-0 win away to Middlesbrough in the FA Cup, before going on to make a further six appearances that season, including starting in two Manchester derbies. He also won the club's Young Player of the Year award that season.
The following season he would make 16 appearances for City plus his international debut in Belgium's 4-4 Euro 2012 qualifier with Austria.
A loan spell at Bolton under Owen Coyle would keep him occupied for the entire 2011/12 season, however his involvement was limited to just 17 appearances and one goal due to injury.
An unsuccessful temporary switch to FC Twente in the Netherlands would follow that consisted of eight appearances in late 2012.
After returning to City he has played six times for the top team in each of the last two seasons, helping Manuel Pellegrini's men keep six clean sheets.
Now 24 years old, five years more senior than compatriot Denayer, Celtic fans will surely be excited at the prospect of Boyata in green and white next season.
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