Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has signed a new one-year contract with Celtic, extending his stay at the Glasgow club after playing a key role in their double-winning revival last season.
The 32-year-old former England midfielder joined Celtic in February following six months out of football, after Turkish club Besiktas terminated his contract. He made an instant impact, scoring a last-minute winner on his debut against Livingston.
“Former England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain signs a new one-year contract with Celtic after helping them win a double.”
That moment set the tone for a remarkable turnaround. Oxlade-Chamberlain went on to make 12 appearances for Celtic, seven of them as a substitute, but his presence helped fuel the team's resurgence under then-interim manager Martin O'Neill. Celtic clinched the Scottish Premiership title on the final day with victory over long-time leaders Heart of Midlothian, and also lifted the Scottish Cup.
O'Neill, who was subsequently given the job permanently, decided to hand Oxlade-Chamberlain an extended stay. "It was an incredible time last season and to be part of that success in winning the league and Scottish Cup was so special," Oxlade-Chamberlain told the club website. "I'm really excited to be back and I'm looking forward to meeting up with the boys and getting to work ahead of what will hopefully be another successful season."
The midfielder's partner, Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards, had publicly voiced her desire for an extended stay with Celtic in Scotland. Oxlade-Chamberlain, who won 35 caps for England and started his career at Southampton before winning the Premier League, Champions League and Fifa Club World Cup with Liverpool, will now join Celtic at their pre-season training camp in Portugal.
O'Neill's squad head to Ireland this weekend before their first pre-season match against Shelbourne on Tuesday. Celtic have yet to make any new signings this summer, making Oxlade-Chamberlain's retention a significant boost for fans.