Celtic

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Celtic have announced the arrival of striker Kasper Hogh and confirmed they have paid a "club record transfer" for the Denmark international.

Reports suggest the Glasgow club have paid £11m plus add-ons for the Bodo/Glimt forward, who scored five goals in last season's Champions League.

But who else has broken the signing record at Parkhead?

Before Hogh, it was Arne Engels. The Belgium midfielder joined in August 2024 from Bundesliga side Augsburg in a deal believed to be worth £11m in total.

That came two weeks after Celtic had broken their previous transfer record to sign Norwich City striker Adam Idah, after a relatively successful loan spell in Glasgow's east end, for £9.5m.

That Idah deal broke a transfer record previously set by Odsonne Edouard's £9m arrival from Paris Saint-Germain.

The striker also spent a season on loan before making the move permanent in June 2018 for what the club called "the biggest transfer in Celtic's history" - a record that had stood since John Hartson's £6m move in 2001.

Jota's return to Parkhead may not have broken the signing record but his re-signing from Al-Ittihad came close and is believed to have cost Celtic £8m. The Portuguese winger left the club in 2023 to join the Saudi Pro League side for £25m but returned less than two years later.

Celtic had initially paid £6.5m from Portuguese side Benfica for the forward in 2021.

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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While unrest directed from the Celtic support towards the hierarchy has been verging on toxic, if it has not already reached that point, Martin O'Neill's side have yet to kick a ball in 2026-27 competitive action.

Nevertheless, the club have been working on a reported record deal for an incoming player.

The exit of Daizen Maeda, last season's title hero, following confirmation that Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi would not be returning to Parkhead, cranked up the fury among the fanbase.

But does Kasper Hogh's arrival suggest the club are adopting a quality-over-quantity approach?

Celtic's wage bill and financial outlay on transfer fees in recent years point towards money being spent, but perhaps not being spent wisely.

It has felt impossible for fans and pundits to defend the fact that the club had only one new face through the door just a week before their Premiership title defence begins.

However, the signings of both Camilo Duran and Hogh come with a reported combined cost of about £15m, and the pair arrive with Champions League pedigree.

Duran has impressed in pre-season after scoring five of his 15 goals for Qarabag last term in Uefa's premier club competition. Hogh netted the same number in the same tournament as Bodo/Glimt defied the odds to reach the last 16.

Two of Hogh's Champions League goals came against Manchester City, with another against Atletico Madrid and one against Inter Milan.

Overall for Bodo/Glimt, the Denmark striker - who has one goal in four caps for his country - has averaged a goal every other game, netting 54 times in 103 matches.

His underlying data and touchmaps suggest he is a penalty-box striker who has thrived in a fantastically well-coached system under Kjetil Knutsen.

O'Neill and his backroom team will back themselves to provide a platform for that success to be replicated in Scotland by their new big-money signing, whose CV shows he is capable of delivering at the highest level.

Celtic fans, how do you feel about your club's latest incoming? Send us your thoughts on Hogh.

Tino
Fan writer

Where will you finish in the league and why?

Top - and mostly because of Martin O'Neill. We left it all too close for comfort last season, though still managed to lift the title despite eight defeats. O'Neill won't allow for such complacency again.

Who is the best signing or has he not signed yet and who should it be?

At time of writing we've only made one signing in the shape of Camilo Duran, so I'm going to opt for him. To be fair, he's looked really sharp since coming in.

What do you want from your manager this season?

To not resign, be sacked or be drafted in on an interim basis. To not be one of three different managers over four different spells across the season.

Who will be the breakout star in your squad?

Callum Osmand. He's shown in flashes just what he's capable of. Time to now do it on a consistent basis.

What is your one major concern?

That we see more of the unrest that threatened to derail last season. It's in the club's gift to ensure we don't see another season like last in terms of what we witnessed off the park.

Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange, external

Bodo/Glimt's Denmark forward Kasper Hogh, 25, passed a medical in London on Monday evening and is close to being announced as Celtic's latest signing. (Sun, external)

Former Celtic player Vidar Riseth believes Hogh is worth almost double the £11m fee the Scottish champions are set to pay Bodo/Glimt. (Record - subscription required, external)

Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran could be difference-makers for Celtic in Europe.

Former Dundee and Ross County manager Tony Docherty thinks players of Duran and Hogh's quality are exactly the type of signings Celtic should be making if they want to progress in Europe, not just domestically.

Duran, who scored five goals in the Champions League for Qarabag last season, joined the club earlier this month while Hogh of Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt, who also scored five Champions League goals, is believed to have had his medical on Sunday 26 July as he closes in on a move to the Scottish champions.

Meanwhile, Celtic have lost Daizen Maeda from their forward line after the Japan international joined Premier League side Ipswich Town.

Celtic will contest a Champions League play-off match next month for a place in the league phase of the competition, a tie they failed to come through last year after losing on penalties against Kazakhstan outfit Kairat Almaty.

But Docherty suggests the arrival of Duran, and Hogh when the deal is concluded, could be the spark Celtic need in Europe.

"I think when Celtic fans are talking about going to the next stage it's not just about domestically winning trophies," Docherty told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Because they should have won a treble last year so it's about going that little bit further. That's going to take a quality of player I think they need to bring in.

"Of course they're losing real quality in Maeda but they're bringing in these two that I think are quality and could be difference makers.

"Everybody's looking for that special player at the top end of the pitch, they're the ones that win the games."

Celtic fans, we asked for your views after Daizen Maeda's move to promoted Premier League side Ipswich Town was confirmed.

Here's what some of you had to say:

James: Nothing short of a legend in my opinion. Not the most technically gifted player but has an abundance of energy, pace, and a relentlessly tireless attitude that more than make up for it. I have been taken with Maeda more or less since his first appearance for us. While not every performance was a 10 out of 10, I rarely saw less than a six out of 10 from him. I am sad to see him go and send him off with well wishes and a hope that he gets lots of game time down there to prove his worth, more to himself than anyone else.

Ian: Daizen Maeda was appallingly let down by Celtic at the last minute and he struggled initially last season. However, when things were looking iffy for retaining the league, he (almost) single-handedly dug Celtic out of the mire, together with Martin O'Neill's influence and power of personality. We owe him big time and he is welcome back at Celtic Park anytime.

Alec: £10million for a player in the last year of his contract is good business. However I am not sure Celtic will ever be able to replace his energy, goals maybe, but not his energy and that is most worrying of all.

Eddie: The overhead goal against Rangers was a thing of pure beauty and I was so happy to have been present that day to witness that goal. Players like Maeda with those type of skills you don't get to see that often in Scotland and I'm privileged to have witnessed a true Celtic great these past four seasons.

Gordy: Daizen will be remembered for his total commitment to the Celtic cause, he was a great player for the first season and a fantastic player for the rest of his time at Parkhead. His non-stop running and goals will always be remembered and I would like to thank him for his contribution to the many victories and trophies he helped provide, he will be sorely missed. Along with every Celtic supporter I wish him every success at Ipswich.

Sandy: Without the talent of some, his approach to the game is second to none. An incredible athlete with an appetite to win beyond most, he earned every penny and medal he won in a Celtic jersey. He'll be a huge miss, £10m is an absolute steal. In three months there will be much bigger clubs than Ipswich thinking "how did we miss him?" On top of that, a humble man of dignity and courage.

Image source, Getty Images

Paderborn sporting director Sebastian Lange has confirmed they turned down a £4m bid from Celtic for 22-year-old midfielder Mika Baur. (Glasgow Times, external)

Bodo/Glimt striker Kasper Hogh has arrived in the UK before his £11m move to Celtic and the 25-year-old Denmark international is to undergo a medical on Monday. (Anthony Joseph on X, external)

Egypt winger Haissem Hassan has agreed a four-year contract with Celtic, although some bonus elements of a transfer fee for the 24-year-old are still to be agreed with Real Oviedo. (George Tsarouchas on X, external)

Celtic have reached an agreement with Real Oviedo over the transfer of Hassan and the player has also agreed personal terms with the club, but the Scottish champions need to move quickly to finalise the bonus structure, with Liverpool and several other clubs also monitoring the winger. (Fuad Alakbarov, external)

Reports suggesting Celtic have reached an agreement with Real Oviedo to sign Hassan are wide of the mark. (Record, external)

Celtic are continuing to work on a deal to sign Real Oviedo winger Hassan. (Anthony Joseph on X, external)

Celtic will return with an offer close to £4.7m for Hassan after Real Oviedo rejected a £3.4m bid. (Christian Vaquero on X, external)

Monday's Scottish gossip

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Celtic manager Martin O'Neill expects the full contingent of his World Cup players to be in training next week before the new Scottish Premiership season kicks-off.

South Korea winger Yang Hyun-jun, Sweden midfielder Benjamin Nygren, Canada right-back Alistair Johnston and United States defender Auston Trusty have not featured in any of the club's pre-season games.

Scotland left-back Kieran Tierney and Tunisia winger Sebastian Tounekti both started in Saturday's 2-2 friendly draw with AC Milan.

"Trusty comes back on Monday," said O'Neill. "He's had some family things. I've given him a little bit of extra time, which I think he's deserved.

"Nygren's here. He didn't play, he's got a bit of an Achilles problem. I think he's OK. I don't think it's massive.

"Kieran played for 60 minutes. I was hoping that Alistair might have played maybe 20 minutes, he was ready for it but I have to be guided by our sports science guys.

"Yang's back. He's done some training. A little bit of a hiccup there a couple of days ago, but he'll be fine.

"I'm probably less concerned about those boys because they have played matches in the World Cup. You take a little bit of a break and the last thing you want to do is be rushing them back. By Monday, I think everybody will be back."

While Celtic are gearing up for the defence of their title, which starts at home to Dundee on 3 August, O'Neill has been impressed by some of the club's younger players.

Thomas Hatton and Sean McArdle caught the eye as substitutes in wide positions against Milan.

"I just congratulated Tam for his spell on the field," O'Neill said. "He's prepared to take people on, which is great. I think that's like a dying art. So he'll get all the encouragement in the world. He's a young lad making his way in the game. Really encouraging.

"Obviously there's a battle on to try to get into the side like anything else, but I was really impressed with him. As I've been impressed with his attitude during the whole pre-season."

Image source, Getty Images

Celtic have agreed a record £11m-plus fee with Bodo/Glimt for 25-year-old striker Kasper Hogh. Scottish Sun, external

Kasper Hogh was due to travel to Scotland on Saturday night to complete his move to Celtic from Bodo/Glimt and will sign a four-year contract with the option of a further one. Luca Bendoni on X, external

Celtic have intensified talks with Las Palmas for 27-year-old goalkeeper Dinko Horkas. La Provincia - in Spanish, external

Celtic's initial enquiry for 27-year-old AEK Athens left-back James Penrice has not been followed up and a deal is not expected to progress now. Ben Jacobs on X, external

Lazio have set a transfer valuation of £13m for Matteo Cancellieri, the 24-year-old winger reported to be a Celtic target. Glasgow Times, external

Image source, Getty Images

Kasper Hogh's career has been a slow burner since he came through the youth ranks with local club Randers but was sold to second-tier Hobro after an injury hit spell, including a loan to Valur in Iceland.

Now the 25-year-old Denmark striker is poised for a medical pending a big-money transfer from Bodo/Glimt to Celtic.

A move to Danish Superliga club AaB had followed in January 2022, but he was on the move again a year later, this time to Stabaek, who had just been promoted to the Norwegian Eliteserien.

It was there that Hogh's career took off as they exercised their purchase option only six months into his year-long loan after he scored eight goals in 14 games.

Within another three months, he signed a pre-contract agreement with Bodø/Glimt to join their top-flight rivals in January 2024.

Hogh would finish the season as his new club's top scorer with 12 goals as they retained the Norwegian title - and his seven goals in the Europa League made him the competition's joint top marksman as they reached the semi-finals.

He was also the club's top scorer for 2025 with 17 goals, albeit Bodo/Glimt finished second, one point behind Viking.

In January, he grabbed a double in a 3-1 Champions League win over Manchester City and the following week netted again in a 2-1 win away to Atletico Madrid.

Hogh was first called up to Denmark's senior national squad in March and made his debut as a late substitute in a 4–0 win over North Macedonia.

In his second appearance, he came off the bench to head Denmark's equaliser in their World Cup play-off final against the Czech Republic only for his side to lose out in a penalty shoot-out.

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Summer signing Camilo Duran scored again as Celtic let a two-goal lead slip in an entertaining pre-season friendly with Ruben Amorim's AC Milan.

The Colombian forward scored his third goal in the space of three warm-up fixtures by capitalising on slack defending from the Italian visitors at Parkhead.

Duran then turned provider by rolling a pass into the path of veteran winger James Forrest to put Celtic two goals ahead.

However, two goals in five second-half minutes from teenage Italy international Francesco Camarda levelled the contest.

The first came from the penalty spot after Cameron Carter-Vickers fouled the youngster, who then netted a quickfire equaliser with a header.

The match marks the end of Celtic's pre-season action, during which they have failed to win in four games against Shelbourne, Sporting, Middlesborough and Milan.

The Parkhead club confirmed Daizen Maeda's departure to Ipswich Town earlier on Saturday, while reports suggest they are about to spend a record transfer fee on Bodo/Glimt striker Kasper Hogh.

The Denmark forward would become Celtic's second summer arrival following the signing of Duran, who has impressed since his arrival.

The Scottish Premiership champions' title defence starts on Monday, 3 August (19:30 BST) when they welcome Dundee.

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Daizen Maeda says the "Celtic family" have made the past four-and-a-half years the "most special chapter" of his life.

The Japan striker has completed a move to Premier League side Ipswich Town.

The 28-year-old played a significant role in helping the Parkhead club extend their domestic dominance, particularly last term with sensational end-of-season form.

In a statement published on his Instagram page, external, Maeda says it has been an "incredible honour" to play for Celtic and "share so many unforgettable moments".

"Thank you for standing by me through every high and low," he adds. "[The fans'] incredible support gave me strength every single day, and I will always be grateful.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in Glasgow who welcomed and supported my wife and children.

"Because of your kindness and generosity, my family was able to enjoy an unforgettable time here. Glasgow will always hold a very special place in our hearts and will forever be our second home.

"My son loves Celtic so much that he already says he wants to wear the Celtic shirt and play at Celtic Park one day.

"I truly hope that dream comes true, and I hope our family will be back here again someday."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

When Daizen Maeda joined Celtic as a relatively unknown J-League attacker in 2022, no one could have imagined the kind of success he would go on to have in Glasgow's east end.

Maeda arrived in the early days of the Ange Postecoglou era, making the switch from Yokohoma F Marinos to Glasgow initially on loan in late December 2022 before completing a permanent switch in the following summer.

Over his four years in Scotland, Maeda played over 200 games, contributing 79 goals and 38 assists. He won 10 trophies - five league titles, three Scottish Cups and two League Cups - and scored goals in the Champions League.

He's been to two World Cups with Japan and established himself as a crucial member of the national team.

The attacker's pace and energy has helped Celtic on numerous occasions but the 2025-26 campaign is what he'll be most fondly remembered for.

After failing to replace Kyogo Furuhashi up front, Celtic relied on Maeda to play through the middle for almost the entirety of last season.

Having initially struggled for form, he turned things around when it mattered most.

Maeda was on a barren run, He'd scored just one goal in 18 games and before the league split hadn't scored in 11 matches. At that point, Celtic found themselves in second place in the table, trailing league leaders Hearts.

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What followed was transformational. Maeda scored seven goals in five Premiership matches, two of which were game-winning.

He got the unforgettable second goal in the final-day decider at home to Hearts when, with the score level at 1-1, Maeda fired beyond Alexander Schwolow on 87 minutes to send Celtic Park wild.

In his final game for Celtic, Maeda opened the scoring in a comfortable Scottish Cup final win over Dunfermline Athletic.

While many fans will be sad to see him go, they probably feel it is deserved for a player that has contributed so much.

But it provides even more evidence that Celtic need to act in the transfer market, and fast. As of late July they have made just one new signing, Qarabag striker Camilo Duran.

With the hugely influential Maeda gone, and international team-mate Reo Hatate likely to follow, the squad is in grave need of quality additions.

Image source, SNS

After four years, 10 trophies and many memorable moments, Daizen Maeda has left Celtic to join Premier League side Ipswich Town.

Even with all those trophies, the 28-year-old will likely be most fondly remembered for his heroics last season.

At a time when he was keen to move on, the Japan international stuck around and, despite a dip in form, was immense in the final seven games that ultimately won Celtic the league and Scottish Cup.

That stunning overhead kick against Rangers and the second goal in Celtic's 3-1 final-day victory over Hearts to seal yet another league title will all be remembered for years to come by the support.

What do you make of Maeda's departure? Is the squad equipped to handle his absence? And how should he be replaced?

Have your say on Maeda's exit via this link.

Image source, Getty Images

Celtic forward Daizen Maeda has completed a medical at Ipswich Town before a prospective switch to the Premier League. Sky Sports, external

Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton says the decision to seel Daizen Maeda before their Champions League qualifier tie is "utter baffling" and describes the reported free of £8m - rising to £10m as "buttons". Daily Record - subscription required, external

Celtic are exploring a deal to sign Lazio winger Matteo Cancellieri as Maeda's replacement. Football Insider, external

Bodo/Glimt want £8m for striker Kasper Hogh, while Paderborn will also hold out for big money for midfielder Mika Baur, both of whom have been linked with Celtic. Daily Record - subscription required, external

Hungarian champions Gyori ETO have hinted that they would be open to selling midfielder Milan Vitalis, who was linked with Celtic and Rangers in May. Daily Record, external

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Celtic striker Camilo Duran is hoping to see more supporters inside Parkhead when their Scottish Premiership defence begins next week.

Martin O'Neill's side kick off the new Premiership campaign at home to Dundee on Monday 3 August and Duran is hoping the fans will get behind the team for their season opener.

The striker was on the scoresheet in his first outing in Glasgow's East End as Celtic drew 1-1 with Middlesbrough in a pre-season friendly in front of a fraction of Parkhead's usual crowd.

But Duran seemed to enjoy his first taste of Parkhead.

"It was a great experience," he said.

"I expected to see more fans but I'm sure that will come with the start of the league.

"Who wouldn't be happy with two goals in two games in this beautiful jersey. I just hope there's more goals to come.

"I've always been a lone striker but if there's someone I can play with that's fine as well."

Celtic kick off their Champions League quest in next month's third qualifying round, a competition Duran is very familiar with after last season.

The 24-year-old scored five goals for Qarabag in the competition last term against Benfica, Ajax, Frankfurt and Newcastle United.

And the forward is keen to prove himself on the big stage again.

"It was always a dream of mine to play in the Champions League and last season it went so well for me," he added.

"It's so important for me to play in the Champions League with Celtic."

Kasper Hogh is likely to move to Celtic after the Scottish champions held talks with Bodo/Glimt over the transfer for the 25-year-old, £7m-rated Danish striker. (Gianluca Di Marzio via SpilXperten, external)

Kasper Hogh was an unused substitute for Bodo/Glimt on Thursday night as the Norwegian champions secured a 3-0 victory over HamKam amid reports that Celtic are poised to sign the 25-year-old who has been on their radar since January. (The National, external)

Japan forward Daizen Maeda arrived in London on Thursday to undergo a medical ahead of a £10m transfer to Ipswich Town and the 28-year-old's exit from Celtic could be confirmed on Friday. (Daily Record, external)

Celtic are still to meet Paderborn's valuation for Mika Baur after a £4m offer and the club promoted to the Bundesliga would prefer to allow the 22-year-old midfielder to leave for free next summer than sell for below their valuation. (Sky Sports, external)

Celtic are interested in two Lazio players - 25-year-old striker Gustav Isaksen and 24-year-old winger Matteo Cancellieri. (Lorenzo Canicchio on X, external)

Las Palmas want more than £4.3m, plus a sell-on clause, for Celtic-linked 27-year-old goalkeeper Dinko Horkas. (CeltsAreHere, external)

Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate, Rangers centre-half John Souttar and the Scotland international's brother, Australia and Leicester City defender Harry, are all on West Ham United's summer radar. (iNews, external)

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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