Celtic striker Georgios Samaras has waved goodbye to more than £1.5million in lost wages to stay with the Scottish champions.The Greece international is understood to have taken a £10,000-per-week pay cut to sign a three-year contract at Parkhead.

Samaras, 23, who scored six times in 21 appearances during a four-month loan spell from Manchester City last season, cost Celtic £1.2million and the former Heerenveen striker revealed his first choice was always to remain in Glasgow.

He said: "The atmosphere at Celtic is really like a family.

"From the first minute I arrived all the coaching staff, my team-mates and the people working around the club put their arms around me with one really big hug.

"That was really important for me, feeling that support.

"At that time I needed a club to support me and respect me and Celtic did that.

"I appreciated what they did.

"I didn't feel I got that in my last six months with City.

"The manager stayed in touch with me.

"When you see a club really wants you it makes a difference. You feel they are on your side.

"When you feel you have that support it's enough."

Samaras believes he is ready to mount a stronger challenge to Hoops' regular strike partnership of Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Scott McDonald after having his first pre-season at the Parkhead club.

The Greece international was rarely handed a starting jersey during his loan spell at the club last season, manager Gordon Strachan preferring to go with Vennegoor of Hesselink and McDonald who notched 51 goals between them as Celtic captured their third SPL title in succession.

The Greece striker is determined to break that duo up this season.

"They had a great season and scored a lot of goals but I am also here now. I will try to make things harder for them.

"It will be good for all of us if it's competitive because you push yourself to be better and better.

"It's not the best thing to go to a club in January.

"You have only four months and must show really quickly what you can do. "You need to learn about your coach, your team-mates and also the club while settling in the city.

"I was a little unsure because I was on loan but now I'm really excited to have signed."

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