On this day in 1997.... Celtic completed the signing of the ‘King of Kings’ Henrik Larsson from Feyenoord for a bargain £650,000 transfer fee.
Signed at a time when the club were desperately seeking a top goal scorer under the management of new boss Wim Jansen, who knew the player well and was aware of the clause in his contract at the Dutch side, Celtic were bidding to not only prevent Rangers from winning ten-in-a-row but to preserve the Lisbon Lions legacy under Jock Stein.
The Swedish international would go on to make 315 appearances for the Parkhead club and score a sensational 242 goals. Add in eight major honours, one European final and a golden boot, he remains one of the best players to ever pull on the Hoops jersey.
Larsson often reflects on his seven-year spell in Glasgow’s East End as the place where he shot to stardom, admitting: “This is the club for me. This is where I made myself as a player, this is where everybody got to know me and this is the club that I will be eternally grateful to.”
Not only did he score a number of hugely important and memorable goals, he left behind a legacy and is still adored by the Celtic faithful to this day. Here is a look back at some of his best moments at the club 26 years on from putting pen to paper:
9. Dominant force in Europe
Larsson had helped Celtic to become the dominant force in Scottish football once again and his prolific form in front of goal would also ensure they would re-establish themselves as a European force. | AFP via Getty Images
10. Road To Seville
Every Celtic fan is likely to remember Larsson’s scoring spree in the Road to Seville. His goals were absolutely vital in helping the Parkhead side to reach the 2003 UEFA Cup final. Victories over FK Suduva, Blackburn Rovers, Celta Vigo, Stuttgart and Liverpool set up a tasty last-four tie with Portuguese outfit Boavista... | Getty Images
11. Saint and sinner
Larsson would turn the saint and sinner for Martin O’Neill’s men during the first leg at Celtic Park by scoring the equalising goal before missing a penalty kick. The tie was finely poised heading into the return leg over in Portugal. | Getty Images
12. Producing the goods
Celtic found themselves 90 minutes away from a place in the UEFA Cup final and with so much at stake, the game was far from a classic. The clinching goal arrived after 78 minutes when Larsson played a slightly fortunate one-two with Boavista defender Filipe Anunciacao before finishing clinically from 12 yards. Fans were starting to dream once again... | Getty Images