Celtic to sign USA keeper Cervi

Cervi has applied for an Italian passport to ease a move to Europe

Celtic have confirmed they will sign American goalkeeper Dominic Cervi.

Cervi, 22, a University of Tulsa graduate, rejected the chance to sign a contract with Major League Soccer after being selected by Chicago Fire.

He had a trial with Portsmouth without being offered a deal and has most recently been training with Celtic.

Manager Gordon Strachan said: "Jim Blythe, our goalkeeping coach, will be working with him and we see him as a two-year project."

The Scottish champions had targeted Cervi, capped at under-23 level, after their pre-season tour to the USA.

Cervi, who spent time with Tulsa Golden Hurricane and Michigan Bucks, played for his country at the Toulon Under-21 Tournament and was part of the US squad for the Olympics in Beijing.

His parents are Italian and he is applying for a passport that would allow him to play in Europe without having to receive a work permit.

MY SPORT: DEBATE Give your reaction to Celtic's interest in Dominic Cervi

Celtic are looking for more competition for Poland goalkeeper Artur Boruc.

Mark Brown, formerly of Inverness Caledonian Thistle, is currently Boruc's understudy.

Meanwhile, Celtic have refused to say whether Aarau's Switzerland midfielder Sandro Burki is also a target.