Reports that Jonny Evans could be signing a sort term deal with Celtic have ended with news that the defender has signed for Manchester United.
Last week it was being suggested that Evans could be reunited with former Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers at Celtic but the likelihood seemed tenuous.
In his first spell in charge of Celtic Rodgers brought in Kolo Toure with the former Liverpool defender helping to steer the hoops into the group stage of the Champions League in the midst of a crisis among central defenders.
Issues with Efe Ambrose and Jozo Simunovic forced Rodgers to send out an SOS to Toure who responded in style and eventually took up a coaching role.
Over the weekend there were claims that Evans could do a similar job but with Celtic’s place secure in the Champions League draw Rodgers can wait on the return of Cameron Carter-Vickers to full fitness.
This afternoon Manchester United announced:
Experienced defender Jonny Evans has signed a short-term deal to enable him to take part in Manchester United’s upcoming pre-season games in Edinburgh and San Diego.
The Academy graduate had been training with the Under-21s whilst considering his options, following his departure from Leicester City at the end of last season.
As part of the Academy training programme, he has also taken part in a number of first-team sessions and impressed Erik ten Hag and the coaching staff.
Evans, who has been capped 102 times by Northern Ireland, will travel to Edinburgh as part of the group to face Lyon on Wednesday.
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Jonny Evans to Celtic latest as report in Belfast states a short-term deal remains an option
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Celtic play their first public pre-season match tomorrow against Yokohama F Marinos with the defensive selections of interest.
Carl Starfelt looks a certain starter when the competitive action gets underway on August 5 but the other place looks like an open battle between Yuki Kobayashi, Tomoki Iwata and Stephen Welsh.