Adam Virgo was accompanied by girlfriend Jodie Rodgers

The 22-year-old defender, who has signed a four-year deal, is recovering from an injury picked up last season.

"I have not had a pre-season as I broke down with Brighton," he said. "But the Celtic physios are happy.

"I will be working with them to get my general fitness back and hope to be back ready for the first team in about three to four weeks."

Virgo is a versatile player but has been earmarked by Celtic manager Gordon Strachan for a position left vacant by the departure of Jackie McNamara to Wolves.

"Although last season I played the majority of games up front, I see my best position in central defence, but the manager has made it clear he wants me in the right-back spot at the moment and that is fine by me," said Virgo.

It's every boy's ambition to play for a massive team Adam Virgo

"It's a dream come true. No disrespect to Brighton, they have given me some great years down there.

"But the offer from Celtic was too good to turn down. It's every boy's ambition to play for a massive team and Celtic are one of the top teams in the UK."

Brighton manager Mark McGhee believes that Virgo has the ability to make a similar impact to Chris Sutton.

"He is a great athlete, has a fantastic attitude and can play in the heart of defence, right back, midfield or up front," said the former Celtic striker.

"But I think his best position is in defence and that is where he will make his name with Celtic.

"When I arrived at the club, he was on loan at Exeter, but I quickly realised his abilities and he has been in my team since then.

"He has the ability to succeed at Celtic and the fact that they have offered �1.5m for him shows the faith they have in him too.

"It's with great sadness that that we say farewell, but I totally support board's decision as I understand the financial restraints at this club."

Brighton chairman Dick Knight says he rejected two previous approaches from Celtic until they met his valuation of the locally-born player who was their player of the season last term.

"While the money will enable the club to survive the coming months as we await the stadium decision, we are all very conscious that we are losing an exceptional player - in fact, two players because of his versatility," said Knight.

"But the club's survival comes first and, at this price, reluctantly, we have to let Adam go to the wonderful opportunity offered him by Celtic.

"Some of the Virgo transfer money will immediately be made available to Mark for squad strengthening as a result of Adam leaving."