A FORMER Ayr United goalkeeper has returned to Scotland three years after his time at Somerset Park came to an end.

Viljami Sinisalo has signed for Celtic on a five-year contract after moving from Aston Villa.

The 22-year-old came through the Premier League club’s academy and spent last season on loan at Exeter, where he was named player of the year for the Sky Bet League One side after making 50 first-team appearances across all competitions.

Sinisalo previously spent time with Ayr in 2020-21, when the Finn made 22 appearances for the Somerset Park side.

He made his Ayr debut on October 6, 2020, in a 5–2 Scottish League Cup win away to Albion Rovers. 

But his loan spell with the Honest Men was cut short by injury in April of the following year, when he returned to Villa Park.

 

 

He featured for Finland in their friendly match against Scotland at Hampden before the start of Euro 2024, with Lawrence Shankland's goal for the home side prompting Ayr's social media team to dig out the slightly-odd-but-nonetheless-fascinating statistic that it was "the first ever goal that a former Ayr United player has scored against a former Ayr United goalkeeper at international level".

Sinisalo flew out with the Scottish champions on Tuesday for their pre-season trip to America.

Speaking to Celtic TV, the goalkeeper said: “I know Celtic is a huge football club and it’s really exciting to be part of something so big. It feels amazing.”

Sinisalo is is set to provide competition and cover for 37-year-old Kasper Schmeichel, who is expected to arrive in Glasgow later this week as the Hoops look to replace the retired Joe Hart.