The Greece international is understood to have taken a £10,000-per-week pay cut to sign a three-year contract with the Scottish champions.

Samaras, 23, was on-loan from Manchester City and the striker revealed his first choice was always to remain in Glasgow.

He said: "The atmosphere at Celtic is really like a family.

"From the first minute I arrived all the coaching staff, my team-mates and the people working around the club put their arms around me with one really big hug.

"That was really important for me, feeling that support. At that time I needed a club to support me and respect me and Celtic did that."