Celtic have completed their fourth acquisition of the summer by securing the services of German midfielder Mika Baur on a deal that runs for an initial four years, with an option to extend for an additional season. The 22‑year‑old arrives in Glasgow on a contract valued at roughly £6.8 million, having transferred from 2. Bundesliga side SC Paderborn where he played a pivotal role in their promotion to the top flight of German football.
During the 2023‑24 campaign Baur featured in 33 league matches, finding the net four times and laying on five assists. His consistent performances earned him the club’s Player of the Year accolade, underscoring his influence on Paderborn’s successful push to the Bundesliga. According to Sky Sports News, Celtic’s payment structure will consist of an upfront fee of about £4.5 million, with a further £2.3 million payable through performance‑related add‑ons. The financial arrangement mirrors those agreed for fellow summer arrivals Camilo Duran, Kasper Høgh and Haissem Hassan, where a sizable portion of the conditional bonuses is tied to Celtic qualifying for the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.
Should the Scottish champions progress to that phase, the club will trigger a number of the stipulated payments, rewarding both the player and the organization for reaching Europe’s elite competition. Celtic’s upcoming schedule includes a Champions League play‑off against Austrian side LASK Linz next week.
Baur, who developed in the youth academy of SC Freiburg before moving to Paderborn in 2024, is expected to be registered for the European squad, giving him an immediate opportunity to showcase his talents on the continent’s biggest stage. On announcing his move, Baur expressed enthusiasm for the new challenge: "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 solid matches and tough training sessions, everything. So I’m in good shape and I’m ready to go." Celtic boss Martin O'Neill welcomed the signing, highlighting the midfielder’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." Baur’s arrival adds depth to Celtic’s midfield options, offering a blend of creativity, defensive work‑rate and goal‑scoring potential.
His experience of a promotion campaign in Germany suggests he can handle pressure situations, an attribute that will be valuable as Celtic aim to compete on multiple fronts – the Scottish Premiership, domestic cups and the Champions League. The club’s strategy of targeting young, high‑potential players from continental leagues continues to bear fruit. By securing a player of Baur’s calibre at a relatively modest fee, Celtic not only strengthen their squad but also position themselves to benefit financially should the player’s market value rise with strong performances in Europe.
Fans can look forward to seeing Baur in action soon, as Celtic prepare for the crucial play‑off tie against LASK Linz. If the team advances to the Champions League group stage, the midfielder will gain exposure to some of the world’s best clubs, further accelerating his development and potentially increasing his contribution to Celtic’s domestic dominance. Overall, the signing represents a win‑win scenario: Celtic acquire a technically gifted, versatile midfielder capable of influencing games, while Baur gains a platform to showcase his abilities on a larger stage and compete for silverware. The partnership is expected to be mutually beneficial, with both parties eager to see the positive impact of this new chapter.