Balde commits future to Celtic with new contract

BOBO BALDE last night signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract with Celtic.

The 29-year-old looked set for a January transfer window move to the Premiership but as the club unveiled new loan signing Craig Bellamy, Martin O'Neill revealed the player had decided to stay until the summer at least.

That gave the club hope Balde would accept their own contract offer and that became reality last night.

The free signing from Toulouse in 2001 insisted his heart and not his head had made the decision for him.

Middlesbrough and other clubs had offered him more money to leave but the cult-figure opted to stay at Parkhead.

Balde said: "My heart has been with Celtic for some time and that was a big factor in my decision. I want to help Celtic try to retain the championship."