It’s official. Kieran Tierney has left Arsenal Football Club.
Celtic sold Tierney to the North London giants back in 2019 for a record £25m, before that outgoing transfer was eclipsed financially by the exit of Matt O’Riley for £26m.
Tierney was a Hoops hero and shone under Brendan Rodgers during the Northern Irishman’s first spell at Parkhead between 2016 and 2019.
He went on to make 144 appearances for Arsenal across six years, scoring six goals and providing 14 assists in total.
Tierney also played for Real Sociedad on loan from Arsenal during the 2023/24 season as he fell out of favour under boss Mikel Arteta.
The 27-year-old Scotland international will return to Celtic this summer after agreeing a pre-contract arrangement earlier in the year.
And now, Arsenal have officially announced that Tierney will depart the Emirates Stadium as well as uploading a farewell interview with the player.
Celtic-bound Tierney’s final message to Arsenal fans
Tierney spoke to Arsenal’s club media and was effusive in his praise of the supporters who have stood by him through the good and bad moments.
He said: “Just thank you for everything from day one. They supported us through the good times and the bad, and they supported me through some hard times as well.
“I think that’s what I’m most grateful for, the times where it wasn’t so good or so easy for me is when they probably supported me most, so I’m just very grateful and I feel very lucky to have the support from them.
“I feel so lucky that I’ve played for this club and the love that the supporters have given me has been amazing. I’ve loved every day here and I’ve learned so much, I’ve improved so much and I just feel very lucky.
“When I first came in, obviously the club is huge, absolutely massive, but in the league table we were probably where we shouldn’t be.
“I think the growth over the last three or four years has been incredible and I think this club and this group of players and the manager are just going to go on to even better things in the future.
“It’ll be hard but it’s a happy goodbye. I’ve loved it here, loved every minute of it. There are countless memories that are amazing for me; your debut is always special, and winning the FA Cup as well in the first season.
“It’s a great team, and I’m so close to some of the boys in there. I’ve been here a long time, so it’ll be sad but a happy goodbye.”
What Brendan Rodgers has said about Tierney’s Celtic return
Rodgers clearly will have been the architect behind Tierney’s return to Celtic having been essential to his development as a young player.
In May, the Bhoys boss spoke about how ‘excited’ Tierney is at returning to Paradise and revealed they had exchanged a few text messages.
Rodgers said: “I know he will be [excited to return]. I haven’t spoken to him a lot of late. We’ve exchanged messages and stuff, but I know his love of the club and excitement to come back here.
“So, yes, I’m sure he’s champing at the bit to get back.”
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