Celtic have completed their fourth acquisition of the summer by signing German midfielder Mika Baur on an initial four‑year contract, with an option to extend for an additional year. The 22‑year‑old arrives in Glasgow on a deal reported to be worth roughly £6.8 million after moving from 2. Bundesliga side SC Paderborn, where he played a pivotal role in the club’s promotion to the top flight of German football. During the 2023‑24 season Baur featured in 33 league games, finding the net four times and providing five assists.
His contributions earned him the club’s Player of the Year award and helped Paderborn clinch a return to the Bundesliga. Sky Sports News have indicated that Celtic will pay an upfront fee of about £4.5 million, with a further £2.3 million in performance‑related add‑ons. Much like the arrangements made for fellow summer arrivals Camilo Duran, Kasper Høgh and Haissem Hassan, a substantial portion of the conditional bonuses are tied to Celtic qualifying for the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.
Baur’s footballing journey began in the youth system of SC Freiburg, where he developed his technical foundation before transferring to Paderborn in 2024. The midfielder’s experience in a promotion‑winning side and his ability to operate in multiple roles across the midfield make him an attractive prospect for the Scottish champions as they look to bolster squad depth ahead of a demanding schedule that includes domestic league, cup competitions and European fixtures. Celtic are set to face Austrian side LASK Linz in the Champions League play‑off round next week.
Should the club secure a place in the group stage, Baur could be registered as part of the competition squad, adding a fresh creative option to Martin O’Neill’s midfield unit. In a press statement, the new signing expressed his enthusiasm about the move: "It’s absolutely the right move. It’s a great club and I’ve heard incredible things about the fans.
I’m in the same agency as Nicolas Kuhn, so I called him to ask a couple of questions and he was very positive. He said, if you have the chance, just do it.
I’ve had a good pre‑season with solid matches and tough training sessions, everything. So I’m in good shape and I’m ready to go." O’Neill welcomed the addition, saying, "I am delighted that we have been able to bring Mika to Celtic. He is a player with excellent attributes, great technical ability, and he will be important in linking our play. He also offers real versatility.
After speaking with Mika, I can see his appetite for the challenges here at Celtic and I am confident he will be another great addition to the squad. Mika’s club in Germany were very keen to keep him, which I fully understand, as he played such an important role in their Bundesliga promotion, but I am really pleased with the perseverance and commitment we have shown to secure his signing." The transfer underscores Celtic’s strategy of investing in young, technically gifted players who can adapt to multiple positions and contribute both domestically and in Europe.
By securing Baur’s services, the club not only strengthens its midfield depth but also sends a clear message that it is willing to compete financially for emerging talent from the continent. The inclusion of performance‑related clauses tied to Champions League qualification reflects Celtic’s ambition to return to the group stages of Europe, a goal that would bring significant revenue and prestige. Beyond the financial and tactical aspects, Baur’s arrival is likely to excite the Celtic fanbase. Supporters have long praised the club’s tradition of nurturing talent and playing an attractive brand of football, and a player of Baur’s caliber, with a proven record of helping a team achieve promotion, fits that narrative perfectly.
His experience in a high‑pressure environment, coupled with his youth, suggests he can adapt quickly to the physical demands of the Scottish Premiership while also offering a creative spark in the final third. Looking ahead, Celtic will aim to integrate Baur into the squad during pre‑season friendlies, giving him time to adjust to the pace and physicality of Scottish football. Manager Martin O’Neill is expected to experiment with Baur in various midfield roles—whether as a deep‑lying playmaker, a box‑to‑box engine, or an advanced attacking midfielder—leveraging his versatility to address tactical needs across different competitions. If Celtic succeed in their play‑off against LASK Linz, the club will not only secure a coveted spot in the Champions League group stage but also confirm Baur’s eligibility for European matches.
This would provide the young German with an immediate platform to showcase his abilities on a larger stage, potentially accelerating his development and increasing his value to the club. In summary, Mika Baur’s signing represents a strategic investment by Celtic in a promising midfielder with a proven track record of success in Germany.
The four‑year deal, supplemented by performance‑based add‑ons, reflects both the club’s confidence in his abilities and its broader ambition to compete at the highest levels of European football. Fans can look forward to seeing Baur don the iconic green and white kit, contribute to the team’s midfield dynamism, and help Celtic pursue domestic titles and a return to the Champions League spotlight.