Celtic have held talks about re-signing Kieran Tierney as part of a pre-contract deal with Arsenal that would end the Scotland international’s injury-hit stay at the Emirates Stadium.
Full-back Tierney joined the Gunners from the Scottish giants in August 2019 for a reported £25m, but has not played in the Premier League since May 2023, with a hamstring injury ruling him out for much of the current season.
The 27-year-old has played 125 games for the club but has missed more than 60 games due to injury, requiring surgery for shoulder and knee problems.
Happy birthday, Kieran Tierney 🥳 pic.twitter.com/gBZq5fxIkb
– Arsenal (@Arsenal) June 5, 2024
Tierney Treaty
2019/20 FA Cup winner Tierney signed a new four-year contract in 2021 as Arsenal described him as an “integral part of the team”.
“KT gives us so much extra strength both defensively and offensively,” manager Mikel Arteta said at the time. “It’s great to know that he will be with us in the long term.”
Tierney was on loan at Real Sociedad last season but missed 15 of the Spanish side’s games with a hamstring injury and two with an adductor problem.
Tierney statistics
Celtic academy prospect Tierney could be close to rejoining the club, where he made 170 appearances in his first spell.
The Hoops won the Scottish Premiership four times and the Scottish Cup and League Cup twice each with the help of the Isle of Man-born defender.
Kieren Tierney ➡️ John McGinn ➡️ ⚽️#SCOFRO pic.twitter.com/QB5FEryDGV
— Scottish National Team (@ScotlandNT) March 31, 2021
After dislocating his shoulder while playing for Arsenal at West Ham in 2019, Tierney returned to play in 10 consecutive league games and started in the FA Cup final win over Chelsea.
He set up Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s second goal in the 2-0 semi-final win over Manchester City and added a goal and an assist in the final league game of the season when they beat Watford 3-2.
A knee operation in March 2022 and the signing of left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko in July meant Tierney became a fringe player for Arteta.
He made his Scotland debut as an 18-year-old in 2016, has won 47 international matches and started four of the six games at the 2020 and 2024 European Championships.
