Henchoz joins Celtic
Celtic have completed the signing of Stephane Henchoz on a short-term contract.
The Swiss defender joins from Liverpool until the end of the season.
Henchoz, 30, played a major role in helping Liverpool claim their cup treble in 2001, but he has not won favour from new boss Rafael Benitez.
Henchoz, who cost Liverpool £3.5m (€5m) when he joined from Blackburn in 1999, had been interesting Celtic's Old Firm rivals Rangers, as well as a number of English clubs, including Bolton.
But Martin O’Neill was determined to land the experienced international, who initially had expressed a preference for staying in England.
Henchoz’s new team-mate Bobo Balde has been linked with moves to Everton and Middlesbrough, and although there seem unlikely to be developments on that front until the summer, in the meantime Celtic will be strong in the centre-back department.
A statement on www.celticfc.co.uk tonight said: “Stephane Henchoz, the former Liverpool centre-back, has ended speculation regarding his immediate future by joining up for Celtic’s assault on the SPL title.
“Henchoz, who had reportedly turned down a move to Alex McLeish’s Rangers recently, decided on the move north anyway, but to the east, and not west-end of the city.
“The deal ties up Henchoz until the end of the season.”
It ends Henchoz’s association with Liverpool, where he and Sami Hyypia forged a largely successful defensive partnership.
As well as winning the FA Cup and UEFA Cup in 2001, Henchoz also picked up a League Cup winners’ medal in that same season and 2003.
