Brendan Rodgers has signed his third central defender in a month with Stephen Welsh agreeing to a new four year contract.
After the signings of Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbielke it looked increasingly likely that Welsh would be moving elsewhere.
In previous transfer windows there has been speculation over interest from clubs in France, Germany and Italy but Celtic seemed reluctant to let the defender go.
Last week at Pittodrie Welsh replaced Cameron Carter-Vickers at half-time, teaming up with Nawrocki to steer the hoops through one of their toughest domestic tests.
That was his first competitive appearance since last October but the new contract gives Rodgers four central defenders for the challenges ahead.
After signing his deal Welsh told the Celtic website:
Signing a new contract for the club that I’ve been brought up on and have supported my whole life was, for me, an easy decision to stay at the club for another four years at least hopefully.
It’s time for me to kick on now and hopefully I can have a few good seasons.
I want to keep improving and continue to play as many games as I can, especially with the manager in now. He’s been massive for me since he’s come in.
He’s one of the main reasons that I want to be at the club and I’m just looking forward to starting the season properly and going for it
Celtic’s UEFA squads must include four players that have come through the ranks with Welsh joining Callum McGregor, James Forrest and Tony Ralston in meeting that criteria.
With Carter-Vickers unlikely to be risked on Kilmarnock’s plastic pitch Welsh looks like starting Sunday’s League Cup tie at Rugby Park.