Celtic Football Club has been active in the transfer market, making strategic moves to strengthen their squad. The club has officially announced the permanent signing of striker Adam Idah from Norwich City. Idah, who had a successful loan spell with Celtic last season, has now committed to a long-term contract at Parkhead. The deal is reported to be worth £9.5 million, including an initial fee of £8.5 million plus £1 million in add-ons. Norwich City has also secured a 15% sell-on clause as part of the agreement.
During his loan tenure, the 23-year-old Republic of Ireland international made a significant impact, scoring nine goals in seven starts and 12 substitute appearances. His contributions were pivotal in helping Celtic retain the Scottish Premiership title and clinch victory against Rangers in the Scottish Cup final. Manager Brendan Rodgers expressed his delight at securing Idah’s services permanently, highlighting the striker’s potential to be a key player for the club in the coming seasons.
In terms of departures, teenage striker Daniel Cummings is on the verge of joining Premier League side West Ham United. Cummings has been prolific for Celtic’s B-team, netting 18 goals in as many games in the Lowland League and adding six goals in the youth Champions League. His impressive form has attracted interest from several English clubs, with West Ham reportedly leading the race to secure his signature in a deal worth approximately £300,000.
Celtic’s transfer activities have not been without challenges. The club attempted to sign Danish striker Mathias Kvistgaarden from Brøndby IF during the January transfer window. However, their bid was rejected, with Brøndby seeking around £11 million for the forward. Brøndby’s chairman, Jan Bech Andersen, confirmed the rejection and indicated that while Kvistgaarden remains under contract until 2027, the club is open to potential moves in the summer.
Additionally, a proposed deadline day move for Slovakian striker David Strelec fell through. Celtic had been in discussions with Slovan Bratislava, but the two clubs could not agree on a transfer fee. Slovan Bratislava was reportedly seeking £9.5 million, while Celtic’s offer stood at £8 million. Strelec’s father commented that his son is not disheartened by the collapse of the transfer and remains focused on his current club’s objectives.
Manager Brendan Rodgers has acknowledged the supporters’ frustration over the club’s inability to secure a replacement for Kyogo Furuhashi, who departed earlier in the window. Despite efforts to sign players like Kvistgaarden and Danny Ings, deals did not materialize. Rodgers emphasized that circumstances beyond his control led to these outcomes and assured fans that the club is planning for future signings to bolster the squad.
In summary, Celtic has made a significant addition with the permanent signing of Adam Idah and is poised to see the departure of promising talent Daniel Cummings. While some transfer targets were not secured, the club remains active in the market, aiming to strengthen the squad for future competitions.
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