PLAYER PROFILE

Andreas Hinkel

Position: Defence

Height: 6'0

Weight: 11st 9lbs

Date of Birth: 1982-03-26 Backnang, Germany

Andreas Hinkel

Celtic confirmed the signing of Germany international defender Andreas Hinkel for an undisclosed fee from Spanish club Sevilla in January 2008.

The 25-year-old former Stuttgart full-back had been linked with a return to his homeland, but opted to link up with the Bhoys on a three-and-a-half-year contract instead.

Manager Gordon Strachan told the club's official website: "We are delighted to complete this signing.

"Andreas is someone who we have been looking at for some time and we are pleased to have finally got him to Celtic.

"We are sure he has all the qualities to be a great success at the club."

Hinkel had been with Sevilla since the summer of 2006, but had struggled to hold down a regular first-team spot with the Primera Liga powerhouse.