Club News - Ntumba Massanka signs on loan for the rest of the season
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Author: Taran Dhamrait - Wed 12 Jan 22

Celtic is thrilled to announce the signing of striker Ntumba Massanka on loan until the end of the season from South Shields.

The 25-year-old joins after signing for Shields in the summer of 2021. He scored their third goal in their 3-1 win over Celtic earlier this season.

Before joining The Mariners, Ntumba featured for Italian side ASD Angelana after previously being with Chorley in the National League.

Ntumba spent time in the youth systems at Manchester United and Manchester City before joining Burnley and signing professional terms in 2015.

Loan spells at York, Morecambe and Wrexham were followed by spells at Dover and RWDM47 in Belgium.

Celtic Manager Simon Haworth spoke after securing Ntumba's signature, he said:“I’m thrilled to sign him, he’s the type of player we’d always be interested in signing but if I’m being honest, is probably out of our reach usually.

“Things aren’t working out for him so well at South Shields at the minute and the opportunity came up to speak to him for a loan.

“I had several good chats with him, he knows Wedgey really well and Justin since they were kids, I think between the three of us and the lure of coming back to Manchester, we were able to secure him.

“He’s going to be a huge asset for us, he’s got pace, power, he scores goals and for the league favourites, he was their big signing of the summer so it kind of shows you what regard he is held in by teams in this division.

“It’s a real coup for us to be able to get him in, I’d like to say thanks to South Shields and thanks to Graham Fenton for the opportunity to speak to Ntumba and put our case forward to let him come out to get some games on loan and it’s been successful for us.

“I think Ntumba and Raul are going to be a right handful for most defences in our league are going to know they’ve been in a game against them two.

“It’s a huge signing for us, it takes us forward and we’ve now got two extremely talented centre forwards.

“Raul got his first goal and I’m sure Ntumba will score goals. I’m hoping he can come and enjoy his football again and put a smile on his face.

“We’re just pleased that we’ve got him in now until the end of the season and with Justin and Bakkor, we’ve also got young Luke Stowe and now two really good strikers to go and score us some goals."

Welcome to Celtic, Ntumba!