Named after a dinner lady and a small garden house, Maryan Shved has signed for Celtic.
The little known Ukrainian winger arrived at Parkhead today to put the finishing touches on a lengthy four-and-a-half-year contract, that will see him return to selling club Karpaty Lviv for the remainder of their season, making the trip back to Glasgow in April.
The signing of Shved looked in doubt earlier this week when Brendan Rodgers suggested that the last thing Celtic needed was another wide man in their side - and it's easy to see the Carnlough man's point.
Shved, who was in the stands for the Hoops 2-0 win over St Johnstone last night, now takes Rodgers' options to a total of nine, to fill the two flank positions, with a combination of Ryan Christie, James Forrest and Scotty Sinclair favoured over recent matches.
But with the likes of Callum McGregor, Johnny Hayes, Mikey Johnson and new loanee recruit Ollie Burke vying for more regular game time on the wings, it's perhaps a prudent move to allow their latest addition the opportunity to finish out the league season with Karpaty, who sit tenth in the twelve strong Ukrainian Premier League.
The first Ukrainian Celt! 🇺🇦🍀
🎙️ Shved: “I’m very proud to be here and even prouder as a Ukrainian to be the first player from my country to sign for #CelticFC, particularly with what that means for football in Ukraine." pic.twitter.com/5px2NaZfHe— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 31, 2019
Shved who came through the Karpaty youth system, returned to the club, having not made the grade with Sevilla, after two years with the La Liga side.
However, since his return to his native land in 2017, aul Maryan has had somewhat of a rebirth and was given his international debut by manager and certified legend, Andriy Shevchenko, back in November.
The very same Andriy Shevchenko that reportedly recommended the 21-year-old to the Scottish giants.
Shved, who has contributed eight goals and three assists for his club this season from wide on the right, is understandably delighted with his move.
I’m very proud to be here and even prouder as a Ukrainian to be the first player from my country to sign for Celtic, particularly with what that means for football in Ukraine.
The prospect went on to explain that his strengths lie in getting one on one with defenders before cutting inside on to his favoured left foot, which will lend itself to Rodgers' counter-attacking style.
The Ukrainian's arrival could spell the end for Dubliner Hayes, who has only managed three league starts for the nine-in-a-row chasing Celts.
