Celtic have announced the arrival of German midfielder Mika Baur, sealing what is now their fourth signing of the summer window. The 22‑year‑old has committed to an initial four‑year contract with the Scottish champions, which also includes an option to extend the deal by an additional year should both parties wish to continue the partnership. The transfer fee is reported to be in the region of £6.8 million overall.
Baur makes the move from 2. Bundesliga side SC Paderborn, a club he helped elevate to the German top flight after a successful promotion campaign. During the 2023‑24 season he featured in 33 league matches, finding the net four times and contributing five assists.
His consistent performances earned him the club’s Player of the Year accolade, underlining his influence on the pitch. According to sources at Sky Sports News, Celtic will initially pay roughly £4.5 million, with an extra £2.3 million in conditional add‑ons built into the agreement. The structure mirrors the financial arrangements Celtic have employed for other recent acquisitions such as Camilo Duran, Kasper Høgh and Haissem Hassan.
A significant portion of the bonus payments is tied to the club’s progress in the Champions League, specifically the achievement of reaching the group‑stage phase of the competition. Baur’s background includes a formative spell in the youth system of SC Freiburg, after which he transferred to Paderborn in 2024. His development in Germany has been marked by a blend of technical skill, tactical awareness and a willingness to contribute both offensively and defensively. These attributes caught the eye of Celtic’s scouting network, who view him as a versatile addition capable of linking midfield and attack, as well as providing depth across multiple positions.
The timing of the signing is crucial for Celtic, who are set to contest a Champions League play‑off tie against Austrian side LASK Linz next week. Should the club progress, Baur could be registered for the group‑stage squad, offering manager Martin O’Neill an extra creative option in Europe. In a press conference, Baur expressed his enthusiasm about the move, stating: "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 so positive.
He said, if you have the chance, just do it. I’ve had a good pre‑season with good matches and tough training sessions, everything. So I’m in good shape and I’m ready to go." O’Neill welcomed the signing, highlighting Baur’s technical qualities and versatility: "I am delighted that we have been able to bring Mika to Celtic.
He is a player with some excellent attributes, great technical ability, he will be important in linking our play and he has real versatility too. Having spoken to Mika, I can see the appetite he has for the challenges here at Celtic and I am sure 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 also reflects Celtic’s broader strategy of investing in young, high‑potential talent from continental Europe, aiming to strengthen the squad for domestic dominance and deeper runs in European competition.
By securing a player who has already demonstrated the ability to perform under pressure in a promotion battle, the club hopes to add both quality and a winning mentality to its midfield ranks. Beyond the immediate impact on the pitch, Baur’s arrival is expected to generate excitement among the Celtic faithful, who have long admired the club’s tradition of nurturing talent and competing at the highest levels.
The club’s supporters are likely to welcome his energy, work ethic, and the fresh perspective he brings from German football. In summary, Mika Baur’s four‑year deal represents a calculated investment by Celtic, blending financial prudence with sporting ambition. The deal’s structure, with performance‑related bonuses linked to Champions League progression, aligns the player’s success with the club’s objectives. As the Scottish side prepares for their upcoming European fixture, all eyes will be on Baur to see how quickly he adapts to the pace and physicality of the Scottish Premiership, and whether he can replicate the influence he wielded at Paderborn in helping Celtic achieve its own ambitions on both domestic and continental stages.