Zheng Zhi in and Darren O’Dea out as Deadline Closes

By: Matt | September 1st, 2009

As the transfer deadline closed, Celtic saw one player come in and another player go on loan. Celtic brought in Zheng Zhi, who was previously unsigned after playing with Charlton the year before. The Chinese midfielder is the Captain of the Chinese National Team. He left Charlton after turning down the offer of a new contract with the Addicks after they were relegated. Since the Chinese internationalist is without a club, the Hoops are under no pressure to get the paperwork pushed through. He will arrive at Celtic Park once the necessary work permits are completed and approved. Zheng went to Charlton in 2006, when he played 12 games on loan for the club in the Premier League. He then scored nine goals in Charlton’s first campaign in the Championship in 2007 and finished as runner-up to Matt Holland in the player of the year poll. He also represented China in the Olympics, but returned to Charlton with a groin problem and only appeared in 11 games during Charlton’s eventual relegation to League One.

Defender Darren O’Dea has signed a new three-year deal with Celtic but joined Reading on loan until January. O’Dea has been starting and/or the first sub used recently with captain Stephen McManus injured. However, with McManus coming back from injury, O’Dea was loaned out to give him a chance to see first team action until January. However, the three year extension shows that O’Dea is very much a part of the future plans of Celtic. Also going out on loan is back up goal keeper Mark Brown to Kilmarnock. Brown has become the 4th choice keeper at Celtic after the acquisition of Lukasz Zaluska and Dominic Cervi to back up Artur Boruc.

Finally, Celtic have drawn Falkirk for their first round of the CIS Co-Op Cup. Celtic are the holders of the cup after defeating Rangers last year in extra time, 2-0.