Hogh set for medical after record fee
Celtic have agreed a club-record fee of £11m plus add-ons to sign striker Kasper Hogh from Bodo/Glimt. The 25-year-old Denmark international is due for a medical within 24 hours, manager Martin O'Neill confirmed after a 2-2 friendly draw with AC Milan on Saturday. O'Neill said he hopes the deal progresses and described Hogh as the calibre of player Celtic are seeking. 'I'm hoping that players coming into the football club who are of some sort of substance, I think that would be the exciting thing for fans,' he added. Hogh is set to sign a four-year contract with a one-year option, having been Celtic's top target since January, when he stayed for Bodo's Champions League campaign. Celtic had only made one signing before Hogh, Colombian forward Camilo Duran.[S1][S2][S4]
Hogh has scored 54 goals in over 100 appearances for Bodo/Glimt, including 15 in European competitions over two seasons. He netted eight Champions League goals last term, with a double against Manchester City and a goal versus Atletico Madrid. In domestic league, he scored 36 times in 63 games. The £11m fee equals the club-record paid for Arne Engels in 2024.[S3][S4][S5]
Maeda departs for Ipswich as O'Neill eyes further reinforcements
Daizen Maeda completed his £10m move to newly promoted Premier League side Ipswich Town on Saturday, ending a four-year spell at Celtic. The Japan international scored 79 goals and won five league titles, three Scottish Cups and two League Cups. O'Neill said he would miss Maeda but was delighted for him, noting that the player had rejected a new contract 16 months ago to pursue a Premier League chance. 'He deserves the move because he's been fantastic for the club,' O'Neill added. Maeda scored nine goals in the final seven games to help Celtic secure a double.[S1][S2][S4]
O'Neill hopes Hogh's arrival excites fans and addresses last season's scoring struggles. He said the club is searching for quality at affordable prices and has other deals in the pipeline, including a goalkeeper, left-back, and links to Mika Baur and Haissem Hassan. 'We've got a few other things in the pipeline that might come to fruition,' O'Neill said. Camilo Duran, the only summer signing so far, has impressed with three goals in three pre-season games, while youngster Thomas Hatton has also caught the eye with his direct play. O'Neill added that Hogh's arrival would be a big plus for the team.[S2][S3]
O'Neill confident of more arrivals
O'Neill expressed confidence that further signings will materialise, stating that he has good faith in the people working on transfers. 'It's quality that we'll probably be looking for,' he said, noting the challenge of finding affordable quality. The manager also praised the competition for places in the squad, saying 'there's a good fight on now for places.' He confirmed that Celtic had enquired about Hogh in January but the player stayed for Bodo's Champions League run. O'Neill also mentioned that the club is looking for a goalkeeper and left-back, positions that need reinforcement.[S2][S3]
Celtic's only signing before Hogh is Colombian forward Camilo Duran, who has scored three goals in three pre-season matches. O'Neill said he was impressed with the competition and that the team is stronger than last year. He also highlighted the importance of Hogh's arrival, noting that last season the team struggled for goals until Maeda's late surge. The manager added that Hogh's Champions League experience will be valuable for the squad.[S1][S2][S3]
