Celtic have officially confirmed the acquisition of Norwegian forward Kasper Hogh from Bodø/Glimt, setting a new club record with a fee reported to be £11 million plus potential add‑ons. The 25‑year‑old, who has been identified as Celtic’s top target for a centre‑forward all summer, has signed a four‑year contract that includes an optional extra year at the club's discretion. The interest in Hogh began as early as January, when Celtic made an initial enquiry.
However, Bodø/Glimt’s impressive run in the UEFA Champions League – which saw them reach the last‑16 and included a memorable victory over Atlético Madrid in which Hogh found the net – convinced the Norwegian side to keep the striker for the remainder of their European campaign. By the time the transfer window reopened, Hogh had amassed 53 goals in 102 appearances for Bodø/Glimt, a strike rate that made him a highly coveted asset. Now, with the Scottish Premiership season set to kick off against Dundee on Sky Sports, Hogh becomes Celtic’s second major summer signing. In his debut interview he expressed genuine excitement: “When I walked into the room and saw the shirt, I was thrilled.
The club’s history is massive, and after talking with my family and some people close to the team, I felt this was the right move. The feeling in my gut told me this was a perfect match.” When asked what supporters can expect from him on the pitch, Hogh explained his playing philosophy: “I love being in the box and finishing chances, but I also want to contribute defensively and work hard for the team.
I’ve been training all summer and have already featured in league games back in Norway, so I feel ready to hit the ground running.” Sky Sports analyst Anthony Joseph described the signing as a “statement deal” that should energise the Celtic fanbase. He noted that while football outcomes are never guaranteed, the transfer looks like a genuine coup on paper.
Joseph added that there was a surprising amount of chatter on social media and among insiders that Celtic managed to secure Hogh without interference from English Premier League or other top‑five European clubs, which is unusual for a player of his calibre. Manager Martin O’Neill praised the acquisition, saying Hogh represents the type of player Celtic need to compete domestically and in Europe. This sentiment is echoed by supporters who have been vocal about the club’s recent transfer inactivity. Earlier this summer, Celtic also splashed out £6 million for Qarabag forward Camilo Duran, who impressed with five goals in last season’s Champions League.
Together, these signings suggest a shift in the board’s approach ahead of a crucial European qualifier. The backdrop to this activity is a turbulent transfer window in recent years. Last season’s Champions League play‑off saw Celtic eliminated by Kairat Almaty, and the subsequent deadline day was described as chaotic, with several high‑profile targets – Kasper Dolberg, David Datro Fofana and Manuel Benson – falling through.
A £3 million move for Hyunjun Yang to Birmingham City collapsed after a miscommunication that left the player waiting in a hotel while the clubs failed to confirm the deal. Earlier in the campaign, Celtic sold promising talents such as Nicolas Kuhn, Adam Idah and even Japanese star Kyogo Furuhashi in January, without securing immediate replacements.
This sparked protests among the fanbase, leading to boycott campaigns and the “Not Another Penny” initiative urging supporters to stop purchasing club merchandise. The unrest contributed to a public clash between former manager Brendan Rodgers and major shareholder Dermot Desmond, ultimately resulting in Rodgers’ resignation in October. The instability continued when Celtic appointed and then dismissed Wilfried Nancy within a 33‑day span, and the January window saw virtually no spending aside from loan deals and the free‑transfer signing of Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain.
Despite clinching a domestic double, the discontent persisted, flaring again after CEO Michael Nicholson’s remarks about dealing with “difficult” agents and the difficulty of competing with English Championship clubs. With £17 million already invested in two high‑profile forwards, the pressure on the board appears to be easing, at least temporarily. The transfer window still has over a month left, and after the recent £10 million departure of Daizen Maeda, Celtic could see further exits, potentially involving Reo Hatate and Arne Engels.
Looking ahead, the club is reportedly eyeing Egyptian World Cup winger Haissem Hassan to add pace and creativity on the flanks. Additionally, talks are ongoing with Paderborn midfielder Mika Baur, who could serve as a versatile replacement for any departing midfielders.
Beyond player acquisitions, Celtic face structural challenges: they still need to appoint a head of football operations, a head of recruitment, a player pathways manager, and possibly even consider a new manager for the next season. These issues suggest that the board’s agenda extends far beyond simply filling the transfer list. Whether the recent signings signal a genuine response to fan frustration or form part of a longer‑term strategy will become clearer as the season unfolds.
With Hogh and Duran already training with the squad ahead of the opening match, there is cautious optimism that Celtic are finally aligning their transfer policy with the expectations of their supporters. For fans eager to stay updated, the Sky Sports app offers live coverage, news, and exclusive content throughout the campaign.