Celtic boss Gordon Strachan has confirmed he's signing American goalkeeper Dominic Cervi. Cervi, a 22-year-old University of Tulsa graduate, rejected the chance to sign a contract with Major League Soccer after being selected by Chicago Fire.

He had a trial with Portsmouth without being offered a deal and has most recently been training with the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League champions.

Manager Strachan said: "Jim Blythe (goalkeeping coach) will be working with him and we see him as a two-year project."

Celtic had targeted Cervi, capped at under-23 level, after their pre-season tour to the USA.

The keeper, who spent time with Tulsa Golden Hurricane and Michigan Bucks, played for his country at the Toulon Under-21 Tournament and was part of their squad for the Olympics in Beijing.

His parents are Italian and he is applying for a passport that would allow him to play in Europe without having to receive a work permit.

Celtic are looking for more competition for Poland international Artur Boruc. Mark Brown, formerly of Inverness, is currently Boruc's understudy.