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Fullname: Andreas Hinkel
aka: Andy Hinkel
Born: 26 March 1982
Birthplace: Backnang, Germany
Position: Right-back/Defender
Internationals: Germany
International Caps [17] [to Dec 08]
International Goals 0

Biog

German international Andreas Hinkel was a £1.9m capture for the Bhoys in January 2008.

The Hoops got their man on January 4th when the Seville full-back signed a contract which tied him to Parkhead until 2011. Hinkel had moved to Spain in 2006 fror a reported £3 million after making his name with Vfb Stuttgart.

Capped 17 times by Germany the defender had previously played against Celtic for Stuttgart in the 2003 UEFA Cup. Having lost his place at Seville to Brazillian ace Daniel Alves – regarded as the world’s best right back – Hinkel was expected to return home, but Celtic beat off competition from Borussia Dortmund and Wolfsburg to win the race for his signature.

Despite picking up a couple of niggling injuries Hinkel’s first six months proved to be a success and on the whole the full back proved to be an asset. Technically assured, comfortable in possession and not afraid to burst forward, the German is a fine attack-minded full-back. Defnesively assured his critics will however point out a tendency to be caught out of position.

Having settled into life in Scotland on and off the pitch, and with a Championship winners medal secured in his first season, Hinkel looked a much more assured and consistant performer in his first full campaign (2008/09) and although Celtic would lose out on the title the German was one player who emerged with credit after a fine season.

Andreas has remained a key member of the Celtic side under new boss Tony Mowbrary. While the team made an indifferent start to the 2009/10 campaign the German remained a reliable performer. His ability to get forward has proved fruitful and by the start of 2010 he had already a dozen assists to his name.

Although still guilty of the odd defensive lapse, Andreas may not quite be the perfect full-back but he is undoubtedly a quality performer. Hertha Berlin were rumoured to be keen to take him back to Germany in January 2010 but it seems that it would take a very good offer to tempt Celtic into selling a player who now must be regarded as one of the club's most prized assets.

KDS Honours
MOTM Winners 2007-08
12-Jan-08	Celtic 3 v 0 Stirling	Scottish Cup
12-Mar-08	Celtic 0 v 0 Dundee Utd	SPL
18-Mar-08	Celtic 0 v 1 Aberdeen	Scottish Cup
29-Mar-08	Rangers 1 v 0 Celtic	SPL
Mar-08	Mar-08 Player of the Month
MOTM Winners 2008-09
22-Nov-08	St Mirren 1-3 Celtic	SPL
29-Nov-08	Celtic 1-0 Inverness CT	SPL
07-Dec-08	Hibs 2-0 Celtic	SPL
Dec-08	Dec-08 Joint Player of the Month
Apr-09	Apr-09 Player of the Month
MOTM Winners 2009-10
25-Oct-09	Hamilton 1-2 Celtic	SPL
28-Oct-09	Celtic 0-1 Heart of Midlothian	League Cup
31-Oct-09	Celtic 3-0 Kilmarnock	SPL
Oct-09	Oct 09 Player of the Month

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• Hinkel signs for Celtic (Jan 08)

Hinkel Signs for Celtic

CELTIC are delighted to announce the signing of Andreas Hinkel from Sevilla on a three-and-a-half deal.

The 25-year-old German internationalist has earned 17 caps for his country and previously played with top Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart.

Speaking after he completed the move to Celtic, Andreas said: "I am delighted to sign for Celtic Football Club and am really looking forward to joining up with my new team-mates.

"Celtic is a great club with a great history, having achieved such success at home and in Europe. It is a great honour to join the club and I hope to play an important part in the club's future over the next few years.

"Having already played against Celtic in European competition, I am well aware of the magnificent stadium and wonderful passionate support which the club enjoys.

"I will be doing my very best to work as hard as I can to try and bring as much success as possible to the Celtic fans."

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan said: "We are delighted to complete this signing. Andreas is someone who we have been looking at for some time and we are pleased to have finally got him to Celtic.

"We are sure he has all the qualities to be a great success at the Club."

Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said: "We are very pleased to welcome Andreas to Celtic. He is a player with a fantastic pedigree and one who was in high demand, with a number of other clubs interested in him - we are pleased to have been successful in securing his signature.

"We are delighted once again to have invested in the first team through this signing and can assure fans that the Celtic Board will continue to do all we can to support Gordon's plans for the development of the Celtic squad."