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Canadian defender Johnston joins Celtic after standout World Cup

FADEL SENNA / AFP / Getty

Following a standout performance for Canada at the 2022 World Cup, defender Alistair Johnston is joining Celtic, the Scottish club announced Saturday.

The versatile 24-year-old agreed to a five-year deal with Celtic and will officially leave CF Montreal on Jan. 1, when the Scottish transfer window opens. The reigning Scottish champions will pay Montreal around £3 million to acquire Johnston, according to Ben Banks of the Daily Record.

"When a club like Celtic comes calling, it'll turn any footballer's head," Johnston said. "Especially for myself, growing up in a British household, Celtic was one of the clubs that is near and dear to our hearts. For me, it's one of the biggest clubs in the world."

Johnston called the move a "perfect fit."

"He's someone we identified pretty early on, somebody who we think can add to our club," Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou said. "He's had an interesting career path where he's had to work really hard to get where he is, and we're really happy to conclude the deal. ... He'll be a great fit in our dressing room and will definitely add something to our football."

Comfortable playing both in central defense and at right-back, Johnston has been a vital figure in the recent rise of the Canadian men's national team. He's started a record 31 consecutive matches for John Herdman's side and played every minute of Canada's three games at the World Cup in Qatar.

Johnston made 33 appearances for Montreal in Major League Soccer this past season, scoring four goals and crafting five assists.

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