Celtic recruit striker Adamu and could add Oxlade-chamberlain
Celtic were last night linked with a move for Alex Oxladechamberlain after a frantic transfer deadline day saw them sign a new striker and reject a £25 million bid for Arne Engels.
Former England midfielder Oxlade-chamberlainhasbeen without a club since mutually terminating his contract with Besiktas in August but has been training with former club Arsenal to build his fitness in recent months.
As the 32-year-old is a free agent, there was no rush for Celtic or any other interested parties to complete a deal before last night’s 11pm deadline, with unattached players able to sign for clubs outside the transfer windows.
Celtic stood firm in the face of multiple bids from Nottingham Forest for Belgium midfielder Engels. After having offers in the region of £14m and £17m rebuffed, Forest returned with a third bid for the 22-year-old. However, the Parkhead club turned down the opportunity to make a significant profit on a player they bought for £11m from Augsburg in August 2024.
After failing to replace main
I want to give my best and try to win the title, also the cup, and Europa League Junior Adamu
goalscorer Kyogo Furuhashi in the final week of last year’s winter transfer window, Celtic appear to be taking no chances amid what is gearing up to be the most competitive Premiership title race in decades.
Austria international forward Junior Adamu arrived on loan from Freiburg, with Celtic having the option to buy the 24-year-old. But a deal for Lorient winger Joel Mvuka was hanging in the balance after the 23-year-old Norwegian’s medical flagged issues that required investigation.
Adamu has only netted three Bundesliga goals in two and a half seasons. He previously scored 23 goals in 84 appearances in his formative years with RB Salzburg and he believes his move to Scotland can help him add to his nine Austria caps ahead of the World Cup.
“I’m very excited to be here and I can’t wait to get started,” he told Celtic TV. “I want to give my best for this club and try to win the title, also the cup, and Europa League, to score a lot of goals, and help the team. I can’t wait.
“I have a good feeling. I’ve spoken with the manager and he’s given me good motivation, and I trust him, he’s given me that trust. He’s told me how the
system is and I feel the connection is really strong.
“I’m dangerous in the box and hungry for goals. That’s what the manager sees in me andiwanttoshowthatonthe pitch.
“I’m a striker who likes to go deep, be good against the ball, and try to be good in the box and score a lot of goals.”
Adamu’s arrival allowed Johnny Kenny to join Bolton on loan, while Celtic also bid farewell to goalkeeper Tobi Oluwayemi who joined Leyton Orient on a permanent transfer.
Celtic were also eager to add a centre-back amid reports of a loan move for Brentford’s Benjamin Arthur – which would pave the way for Stephen Welsh to return to Motherwell after he was recalled from a season-long loan in mid-january.
Rangers were close to finalising a move for Hansa Rostock striker Ryan Naderi after the player arrived at the club’s training centre amid reports of a £4.8m deal being struck, which would represent the most expensive transfer ever in the German third division. Midfielder Joe Rothwell left Ibrox to sign for Sheffield United.
It was a busy day at Easter Road. Hibs signed right-back Felix Passlack from Bochum for an undisclosed fee on a three-anda-half-year contract while versatile attacker Ante Suto arrived from Croatian side Slaven Belupo on similar terms. Hibs allowed Dylan Levitt to join Leyton Orient and Junior Hoilett also left to sign for Swindon Town.
Head coach David Gray welcomed his new arrivals. “Ante is another strong addition to our forward line and gives us a very direct threat in front of goal,” he said. “He is a powerful player and he is a brilliant option to have because he is capable of playing out wide as well as through the middle.
“Felix is a tenacious, attackminded player that can play anywhere on the right-hand side. He comes with a great pedigree, having played at a very high level, and will be a strong addition to the squad.”
Aberdeen signed 27-yearold midfielder Dennis Geiger on loan from Hoffenheim, with an option to buy, while Adil Aouchiche was recalled by Sunderland ahead of a move to Schalke. The Dons also said goodbye to midfielder Leighton Clarkson who joined Blackpool in League One.
DR Congo international Aaron Tshibola returned for a fourth spell at Kilmarnock on a contract until the end of the season, while Falkirk announced the arrival of Aston Villa winger Ben Broggio on loan.
Dundee signed Dutch defender Lewis Montsma on a six-month deal fromlincolnandadded former Aberdeen and Rangers winger Scott Wright on loan from Birmingham. They also recruited forward Aldahir Valenzuela on a loan deal from CF Monterrey and looked to have rebuffed interest in central defender Luke Graham.
Dundee United signed 21-year-old Ghanaian midfielder Emmanuel Agyei on a permanent transfer from Israeli Premier League side Ashdod.
St Mirren sold 18-year-old midfielder Evan Mooney to Arsenal for what the club described as a “substantial fee with potential for significant future add-ons and a sizeable sell-on clause”. They also bolstered their squad with the late loan signing of midfielder Jacob Devaney from Manchester United.