Andreas Hinkel insists Celtic are the 'perfect club' to help him relaunch his international career with Germany.
The 25-year-old right-back was paraded before the media at the club's Lennoxtown training facility today after signing from Sevilla last week for a fee reported to be just under £2million.
The 17-times capped defender lost his place in the German squad after failing to oust Brazilian Daniel Alves from the Spanish team's line-up.
Hinkel is hoping to buck the trend of German players such as former Celtic striker Andreas Thom, and ex-Rangers stars Jorg Albertz, Stefan Klos and Christian Nerlinger whose international ambitions floundered on arrival in Scotland.
Speaking through his interpreter Marcus Bahnsen, the former Sevilla player, who snubbed German giants Borussia Dortmund to move to Parkhead, said: "I had the opportunity to visit the club last week and the level of professionalism and organisation that I found led me to make the decision to sign.
'Celtic is the perfect club for me. Celtic's recent Champions League record is part of the decision. Five years ago I played for Stuttgart against Celtic and everybody knows that Celtic are always playing at the top level.
'But the main reason for my decision is that I want to be part of the national team again and if I play well then I will automatically be part of it.
'I didn't speak to former players but I know that there were several German players who have played in Scotland. But I asked other people if it would be the right decision to come here.
'They told me that the Scots are open-minded, friendly and that it would be a good decision to come.'
Hinkel added: 'The whole world knows this club and its traditional colours of green and white. They were the first British club to win the Champions League (then European Cup) so I know the club's history and its importance.'
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan confirmed that Hinkel would be in the squad for the Scottish Cup tie against Stirling Albion at Parkhead on Saturday.
He joked: 'He could be or I will be in trouble with Peter Lawwell (chief executive) and Dermot (Desmond, club owner). We have been looking at Andreas since the start of the season, so it's been a long time.
'Obviously we remembered that he played for Stuttgart against us but we did our homework. Our scouts have done a fantastic job and everybody was positive.
'Andreas is an all-rounder. We were attracted by his professionalism, his attitude, the whole package.'
