by Babarinsa Sola

Nigerian midfielder Rabiu Ibrahim has joined Kilmarnock from Celtic on a two-year permanent contract, says Kenny Shiels, the manager of the Rugby Park club.

The 21-year-old had an offer from abroad and was also believed to be a loan target for other Scottish sides.

“He’s signed a two year deal with us,” Shiels said. “I believe it’s quite a coup for Kilmarnock and we are a good fit for him.

“Rabiu had an offer from a club in Russia but he and his advisors thought it would be better for his career development to stay in Scotland and they were equally as keen as we were for the deal to go through.

“We signed him on a free transfer.”

Ibrahim will not join up with his new team-mates immediately as he is currently with the Nigerian national team ahead of their friendly with Catalonia on Wednesday night.

The player, who has been capped at Under-17, Under-21 and Under-23 level by his country, has also been included in Nigeria’s preliminary squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.

“He’s away with the Nigeria squad for the AFCON at the moment,” Shiels said. “I believe January 9 is the deadline for them to name their final squad. I would quite like him to be name in the squad for his confidence.

“If he is named then as soon as they go out of the competition he will join up with us.”