Celtic have confirmed the acquisition of Norwegian striker Kasper Hogh from Bodø/Glimt in a deal that sets a new club record, reportedly worth around £11 million plus performance-related add-ons. The 25-year-old forward, who had been identified as Celtic's top target for the centre-forward role this summer, has agreed to a four-year contract with the Scottish giants, with an option for the club to extend the agreement by an additional year if they choose.
The interest in Hogh initially surfaced in January, but Bodø/Glimt's impressive run in the UEFA Champions League convinced the player to stay on for the remainder of the competition. He played a pivotal part in the team's historic progression to the last 16, even finding the net in a memorable victory over Atletico Madrid. Over his tenure with the Norwegian side, Hogh amassed 53 goals in 102 appearances, demonstrating a consistent scoring record that attracted attention across Europe. Now arriving as Celtic's second summer signing ahead of their opening Premiership fixture against Dundee, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, Hogh expressed his enthusiasm in his first media interview.
"I'm so happy. When I walked into the room and saw the shirt, I was really excited," he said.
"The history of the club is massive. I talked with people and my family about the club. The feeling they had, and the feeling I had in my stomach, was that this was a really good match." When asked what fans can expect from his style of play, the striker elaborated: "I like to be in the box and score goals, but I also want to help my teammates defensively and work hard for the team.
I've trained throughout the summer and I've already played league games in Norway, so I feel ready. I just want to get started." Sky Sports analyst Anthony Joseph described the signing as a "statement move" that should excite the Celtic faithful. "Celtic's record-breaking £11m-plus capture of Kasper Hogh is a statement signing, one that the fans can - and should - be thrilled about.
No one can predict the future because football is full of variables, but on paper this looks like a real coup," Joseph noted. He added that there was surprise within the football community that Celtic managed to secure the deal without interference from English Premier League or other top-five European clubs.
Manager Martin O'Neill praised the acquisition, saying Hogh represents the calibre of player Celtic need to compete domestically and in Europe. This sentiment is echoed by supporters who have long called for a proven goal scorer to lead the line. The Hogh signing follows the earlier arrival of Qarabag forward Camilo Duran, who arrived for around £6 million after a strong Champions League showing in which he scored five goals. Together, these two high-profile forwards suggest a shift in Celtic's transfer strategy as they prepare for a crucial European qualifier.
Historically, Celtic's transfer activity has been erratic. Last season, the club entered the Champions League play-off with few new faces, eventually losing to Kairat Almaty. The subsequent summer transfer window was marked by a chaotic deadline day, with several targeted deals—such as those for Kasper Dolberg, David Datro Fofana and Manuel Benson—falling through.
A proposed £3m move for Hyunjun Yang to Birmingham City collapsed after miscommunication left the player waiting in a hotel for a green light that never arrived, highlighting the disorganisation that plagued Celtic's recruitment. While Benjamin Nygren was secured early, other promising talents like Nicolas Kuhn, Adam Idah and even Japanese striker Kyogo Furuhashi were sold in January without adequate replacements, sparking fan protests, boycott campaigns and the "Not Another Penny" initiative urging supporters to stop buying club merchandise.
These frustrations contributed to a public rift between then-manager Brendan Rodgers and major shareholder Dermot Desmond, culminating in Rodgers' resignation in October. The turmoil continued when the club hired and dismissed Wilfried Nancy within 33 days and failed to spend any money in the January window, relying only on loan deals and the free signing of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Despite clinching a domestic double, the unrest among the fanbase persisted, flaring again after CEO Michael Nicholson's comments about dealing with "difficult" agents and the difficulty of competing with English Championship clubs. With nearly £17m already invested in two proven forwards, the pressure on the board to demonstrate progress is mounting.
The transfer window still has more than a month left, and following the sale of Daizen Maeda for £10m, Celtic could see further departures, potentially including Reo Hatate and Arne Engels. In addition to outgoing business, the club is reportedly eyeing Egyptian World Cup winger Haissem Hassan to add depth on the flanks, and they are in talks with Paderborn midfielder Mika Baur, who could serve as a versatile replacement for any departing midfield talent.
Beyond player transactions, Celtic face structural challenges: they still need to appoint a head of football operations, a head of recruitment, and a player pathways manager, and there is speculation about the future of the managerial role for next season. These issues suggest that the board's agenda extends far beyond simply filling the squad. Whether the recent activity signals a genuine response to supporter concerns or merely a short‑term fix remains to be seen. However, the arrival of Duran and Hogh before the season kicks off offers a more optimistic outlook than in recent years, and many fans are hopeful that these signings will translate into on‑field success both domestically and in Europe.