'It's Done' - Olympiacos Complete Signing of Celtic Transfer Target

Olympiacos F.C. is on the verge of completing the signing of a center back who was also a target for Celtic F.C.

According to a report from Sport24.gr, Olympiacos has completed the signing of Swedish center-back Zinedin Smajlovic from the Norwegian side Sandefjord.

According to Sport24.gr journalist Nikos Kotsis, who specializes in covering the Red and Whites, Olympiacos won the race to sign Smajlovic, beating out his numerous suitors.

"The big transfer is done. Olympiacos defeated all interested parties. They overcame Sandefjord's strong resistance. They put almost 6.5 million euros on the table. And now Zinedine Smajlovic (1.91m) must be considered their footballer," Kotsis reported.

It had previously been reported that Smajlovic had attracted interest from several other clubs, including Celtic, Hull City, Rangers, Toulouse, and others.

Apparently, head coach Jose Luis Mendilibar’s project ultimately won the race, with the Greek club set to sign the talented Swedish defender.

According to the same information, the total cost of the transfer is €6.5 million, a remarkably high fee by the standards to which Olympiacos is accustomed.

The report states that negotiations were finalized on Saturday morning, when the Greek club managed to overcome all the problems and obstacles standing in the way of convincing the Norwegian side.

"The series with Smailovic ended on Saturday morning. Olympiacos managed to overcome all the problems and obstacles that arose even after the agreement with the Norwegian team. Problems involving the football player's representatives. There were constant scenarios that wanted big European teams to be involved in the transfer. With the latest of them being Marseille," Kotsis wrote.

Smajlovic is not expected to travel to Greece; instead, he will fly directly from Norway to the Netherlands to join the Olympiacos squad, which has already begun its preseason preparations.

"Smajlovic will not even come to Greece. From Norway, he will go directly to the Netherlands and Vlaardingen, where the main stage of the Red and White team's preparation is taking place."

As a consolation, Celtic have completed the signing of Shea McGarry, who is already training with the club’s B team.

The 16-year-old Northern Ireland center back had already played for Cliftonville at the senior level before agreeing to join Celtic, and the Hoops have now added another promising young defender.

As for Olympiacos, Smajlovic appears to be the final piece Mendilibar needed for his back line, which now looks set to feature Lorenzo Pirola, Panagiotis Retsos and newly signed David Carmo, who has joined the club for a third spell.