Legendary Keeper Artur Boruc Leaves For Fiorentina

Bhoys Defeat Seattle After Loss To United

After five years at Parkhead, Polish 'keeper Artur Boruc has signed for Italian team Fiorentina on a two-year deal.

Boruc signed for Celtic in 2005 from Legia Warsaw, debuting for the club in their 4-0 Champions League qualifying win over Artmedia Bratislava and appeared in 221 matches before the end of last season.

A favorite with Celtic supporters, Boruc also enhanced his reputation by scoring a penalty in the shootout that led to the 9-8 win over Dundee United in the CIS Cup semi-final in 2007.

On the club's website, Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said: "It was clear that after five years with Celtic, Artur wished to pursue a fresh challenge.

"I know everyone at the club and all our supporters will sincerely wish Artur all the very best in this challenge.

"During his time at Celtic, he has been a magnificent servant to the club and without any question, he is one of the finest goalkeepers ever to play in Scotland. Indeed he has been one of Europe's top keepers.

"A true character, a passionate man and a real Celtic supporter, he has been part of some memorable occasions and been instrumental in the successes which the club has enjoyed. We send him all our best wishes for the future."

Celtic's opposition in this year's UEFA Champions League qualifiers was announced last week. They'll be facng Portuguese outfit SC Braga in the Third Qualifying Round, with the first leg scheduled for July 27/28 and the second leg on August 3/4.

Celtic's North American tour continued with a 3-1 loss to Manchester United in Toronto. Despite the loss, the team performed well against a strong United team that included Ryan Giggs, Dimitar Berbatov, Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher.

Berbatov scored the opener but, while Georgios Samaras got an equalizer in the second half, United subs Danny Wellbeck and Tom Cleverley both got on the scoresheet to hand the Bhoys a loss.

Celtic bounced back against Seattle Sounders FC though with some dynamic attacking football leading to a 2-1 victory.

Samaras again opened the scoring, this time from the penalty spot, and Paddy McCourt added the second with a clinical finish in the second half.

Seattle got a consolation goal with a long-range effort from David Estrada, but the victory was never in doubt and the Bhoys should have added one or two more.

Celtic have announced that they have signed striker Daryl Murphy from Sunderland on a three-year deal.

The 27-year-old Irish international is the club's fourth signing in the off season, joing Charlie Mulgrew, Joe Ledley and Cha Du-Ri at Parkhead.

Murphy started his career with Waterford United before joining the Black Cats in 2005. He got his first cap for Ireland in May 2007 in the friendly against Ecuador at Giants Stadium in New Jersey. He has now appeared for Ireland in nine games.

He seemed very pleased when talking to Celtic's Channel 67, telling them that: "This is massive thing for me and for my family. When I heard Celtic were interested there was only ever going to be one club that, given the chance, I would sign for.

"When I first heard the rumours I just took them with a pinch of salt but as soon as I heard it was for real I can't really describe the feeling because I'm probably the same as every other Irish lad.

"You always want to play for Celtic and nearly all of Ireland supports Celtic growing up so it's a massive, massive thing."