Celtic Football Club have confirmed the acquisition of Egyptian international winger Haissem Hassan from Spanish side Real Oviedo, finalising what is reported to be a deal worth up to £9 million. The 24‑year‑old completed his medical examination in London and has signed a four‑year contract that includes an option for Celtic to extend the agreement by an additional twelve months should the club wish to retain his services for a longer period.
The financial terms of the transfer involve an upfront payment of roughly £6 million, with a further £3 million in performance‑related add‑ons. A substantial portion of those conditional bonuses is tied to Celtic’s progress in the UEFA Champions League, specifically the club’s aim to reach the group‑stage phase later this month. Should Celtic qualify, the extra payments will be triggered, reflecting the importance the club places on Hassan’s potential contribution to their European ambitions.
Timing is critical, as the club must register Hassan before the deadline on Thursday to ensure his eligibility for the upcoming Champions League play‑off tie against Austrian side LASK Linz, scheduled for next week. Celtic are also permitted to add two more players to the squad by the following Tuesday, giving the management a narrow window to complete any final paperwork.
In a media interview with Celtic’s official channels, the newly‑signed winger expressed his excitement and gratitude for the move. "I’m really grateful to be here and really happy," Hassan said.
"Celtic is a massive club. When I was growing up, the club was always in the Champions League and had big players.
I’m really looking forward to getting on the pitch with the guys." He went on to explain why the timing felt right for him personally: "At 24, I think it’s a good moment for me to move away from Spain. I’ve been there for six years. With Celtic’s history, all the great players, the fans and the atmosphere, I think this is the perfect moment for me.
I know I’m joining a big club, the biggest club in Scotland, and I’m really looking forward to taking the next step." Hassan’s profile has risen considerably after his performances at the recent World Cup, where he impressed scouts with his pace, technical ability and work ethic on the wing. Celtic have been monitoring him for some time, and his arrival fills a specific need for a left‑footed right‑winger who can stretch opposition defences, cut inside onto his stronger foot, and provide both goals and assists from wide areas. During the 2023‑24 season with Real Oviedo, he featured in 38 matches, primarily on the right flank, and recorded three assists, demonstrating his capacity to create scoring opportunities for teammates. The Egyptian international joins a Celtic squad that has already bolstered its attacking options this summer with the signings of forwards Camilo Duran and Kasper Høgh.
The club’s transfer strategy appears focused on adding youthful, dynamic talent capable of competing on multiple fronts – domestically in the Scottish Premiership and in Europe. Hassan’s addition is expected to increase competition for places, raise the overall quality of the team’s wing play, and provide manager Martin O’Neill with more tactical flexibility. Speaking about the deal, Celtic manager Martin O’Neill praised the club’s ability to secure the player despite interest from other clubs.
"We are delighted to bring Haissem to Celtic and I think the club has done really well to secure a player of such quality, with a number of other clubs interested in him," O’Neill said. He added that Hassan possesses the attributes needed to thrive at Celtic: "He is someone who I think has the ability and experience to do very well for us, performing at a high level in domestic and international football. I know he is excited about being with us and I am sure our fans will enjoy the energy and attacking intent which Haissem will bring to matches.
I hope he will become a very important member of our squad going forward." Beyond the immediate impact on the pitch, Hassan’s signing also carries commercial and branding implications for Celtic. As a player from Egypt, a nation with a large and passionate football fanbase, his presence could help the club expand its reach into new markets, attract sponsorship opportunities, and increase viewership of Celtic matches across the Middle East and North Africa.
The club’s marketing department is likely to leverage his profile in promotional campaigns, social media content, and community outreach programs. From a tactical perspective, O’Neill may look to deploy Hassan in a 4‑3‑3 formation, where his speed and dribbling ability can be used to isolate full‑backs and deliver crosses or cut‑backs into the penalty area. Alternatively, the manager could experiment with a 3‑5‑2 system, positioning Hassan as a wing‑back who can both defend and surge forward, exploiting his stamina and work rate. His left‑footedness on the right side also offers the option of inverted wing play, allowing him to drift inside and combine with central midfielders or the striker, creating overloads in the middle third.
Celtic’s upcoming Champions League play‑off against LASK Linz will serve as an early test of Hassan’s adaptation to Scottish football, which is known for its physicality, high tempo, and intense fan atmosphere. Success in that fixture could fast‑track his integration into the first‑team squad, while also boosting his confidence ahead of the domestic season.
Fans will be eager to see how quickly he can develop chemistry with teammates such as forward Camilo Duran, midfielder Conor Hazard, and veteran captain James Forrest. In summary, the signing of Haissem Hassan represents a strategic investment by Celtic, aimed at strengthening the squad’s attacking depth, enhancing the club’s brand internationally, and positioning the team for a deep run in Europe. With a contract that secures his services for at least four years and a potential extension, Celtic hope that Hassan will grow into a key player who can deliver goals, assists, and excitement for supporters for many seasons to come.