Celtic have completed the signing of Coventry left back Danny Fox on a four-year contract. The 23-year-old will be eligible for Wednesday’s Champions League qualifier against Dinamo Moscow after new manager Tony Mowbray moved quickly to snap him up.
Fox said: “I’m a bit shellshocked, but I’m really grateful to the manager and the coaching staff for bringing me here. It’s a dream come true.”
Celtic moved for Fox hours before last night’s deadline for registering their squad for the third qualifying round.
And, although they could not complete the deal in time, Fox will be eligible for Wednesday’s home leg if, as expected, Mowbray opts to utilize his one wildcard option.
Mowbray fended off competition from former club West Brom — who had a package of just under €2.3million rejected by the Sky Blues.
Fox was also thought to be the subject of several failed bids by Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies earlier this month.
Fox, who was named in the Coca-Cola Championship team of the season, has already joined up with his team-mates in London and is expected to make his debut in the Wembley Cup this weekend.
“It’s all happened so fast but I’m delighted to be here,” Fox said. “I got a phone call on Thursday afternoon to tell me to head for Glasgow and it’s all been a bit surreal.
“This is a massive move for me. I couldn’t sleep on Thursday night because I was so eager to get down and meet the lads in London and I can’t wait to make my debut.
“The size of Celtic speaks for itself. You have the history, the fan base, the stadium and there’s the added bonus of European football.
“I want to test myself at the highest level and there is no better place to do it than at Celtic. I’m just looking forward to getting started.”
Fox came through the youth ranks at Everton before moving to Walsall, from where he was signed by Coventry in January 2008.
He becomes Mowbray’s third signing following the capture of striker Marc-Antoine Fortune and midfielder Landry N’Guemo from Nancy.
The former Hibernian manager will hope the signing solves what has been a problem position for Celtic in recent seasons.
Lee Naylor has struggled to recapture the form he showed in the first season following his move from Wolves in August 2006, while Mark Wilson has been dogged by injuries.
