Greg Taylor was a mainstay of Celtic's team last season Scotland left-back Greg Taylor has signed for PAOK, the Greek top-flight club have announced, after rejecting a new contract with Celtic. The 27-year-old, who has 14 caps for his country, spent six years with the Scottish champions after signing from Kilmarnock. Scotland mainstay Kieran Tierney, who can operate at either left-back or in central defence, has returned to Celtic at the end of his contract with Arsenal. But manager Brendan Rodgers had been keen to keep Taylor as well with loanee Jeffrey Schlupp having returned to Crystal Palace. Taylor made 216 appearances for Celtic, including 37 starts and six substitute appearances last season as they retained the league title. PAOK finished third behind Olympiakos and Panathinaikos in the Greek Super League last season and are seeded in the Europa League third qualifying round. More to follow.
Taylor signs for PAOK after rejecting Celtic stay
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"Greg Taylor Joins PAOK After Turning Down New Contract with Celtic"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
Greg Taylor, a prominent figure in Celtic's squad, has officially signed with PAOK, a club in the Greek Super League, after opting to decline a new contract from Celtic. The 27-year-old left-back has been a significant contributor to Celtic over the past six years, having joined from Kilmarnock. During his tenure at Celtic, Taylor made a total of 216 appearances, including 37 starts and six substitute appearances in the previous season alone, contributing to the team's successful retention of the league title. His departure comes amid changes in Celtic's squad, particularly with the return of Kieran Tierney from Arsenal, which has shifted the dynamics of the left-back position in the team. Manager Brendan Rodgers had expressed a desire to keep Taylor, especially with the recent departure of loanee Jeffrey Schlupp back to Crystal Palace, indicating Taylor's value to the squad in the upcoming season.
PAOK, which finished third in the Greek Super League last season, is looking to strengthen its squad as they prepare for the Europa League third qualifying round. Taylor's experience and skill set are expected to bolster PAOK's defense as they aim to improve upon their previous season's performance. The signing marks a new chapter for Taylor, who will now compete in a different league and face new challenges in his career. The move is seen as a strategic decision for both the player and the club, as Taylor seeks to further his professional development while PAOK aims to enhance their competitive edge in European football. Details regarding the terms of Taylor's contract with PAOK have yet to be disclosed, but his commitment to the club signifies an important step in his career trajectory.
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