Celtic have beaten arch-rivals Rangers to the signing of Polish striker Pawel Brozek on loan from Turkish side Trabzonspor.

The 28-year-old will spend the remainder of the season at Parkhead, with the Hoops having the option to make the move permanent.

The signing of Brozek a day before the January transfer window closes will be seen as a feather in the cap of manager Neil Lennon, given their Old Firm foes interest in the same player.

Brozek – whose compatriot Jaroslaw Fojut will join the club in the summer after the defender signed a pre-contract agreement earlier this month – told Celtic’s official website he’d consulted with past and present players regarding a move to the Glasgow giants.

“I’m very happy because Celtic were very determined to sign me and it didn’t take a long time,” Brozek explained.

“I spoke with Lukasz Zaluska and Maciej Zurawski and they said only positive things about the club so when I heard there was an offer from Celtic I wanted to go straight away.

“They said the fans are fantastic here, the top organisation of the club, and the great name the club has in the world.

“It’s all happened very quickly. It was a really nice surprise because it’s a big club and a big name in Europe.

“It’s a very nice city and a great place to play football and there is a very good manager and coach.

“The team is very good and there are excellent training facilities.

“I knew before I signed about the club’s history and the kind of pressure to win every game and the championship.

“So the history, the fans, the team and the determination of the club to bring me here were all reasons why I came.

“It’s also important that we have won so many games in the last couple of months and there are also plenty of chances to score.

“But I don’t like to speak about myself. I would rather show what I can do on the park and will try to do the best I can for the club.”