Celtic have succeeded in their late bid to sign Hibernian striker Chris Killen on a free transfer.

The double winners confirmed this afternoon that the 25-year-old has signed a three-year contract at Celtic Park.

Cardiff looked to have wrapped up a swoop for the striker who turned down a contract extension at Hibernian, and they have expressed anger at his U-turn.

The New Zealand international will be reunited with another Celtic summer signing, Scott Brown, who completed his £4.4 million move from Hibernian earlier this month.

With Scott McDonald also joining Celtic from Motherwell this summer, Gordon Strachan will either have an abundance of striking options for next season or look to offload one of his forwards.

Killen spent almost 18 months at Hibernian after joining from Oldham, but has not played since January, after suffering a serious Achilles injury.

Nevertheless, the striker, who found the net 15 times before injury struck, says he is not joining the Hoops to make up the numbers.

The former Manchester City and Oldham player said today: "There was a time when I was not sure where I was going but when Celtic came in it was a 'no-brainer'.

"I've been in talks with a couple of clubs, including Cardiff, but the interest came from Celtic in the last couple of days and I am here now.

"But I'm not here to be a squad player, I have come to play," he added. "There is going to be competition but that's not a problem for me.

"I'm going to work hard and do everything that I can to get that starting jersey."

Killen praised former Hibernian manager Tony Mowbray for taking a chance and bringing him up from Oldham in January 2006.

He said: "The opportunity Tony Mowbray gave me to come and play in the SPL was something I relished and I am thankful that he did."