Celtic have signed striker Junior Adamu, winger Joel Mvuka and defender Benjamin Arthur on loan on Deadline Day.
Austrian international Junior Adamu was the first arrival on the final day of the window, joining from Bundesliga side SC Freiburg with an option to make the move permanent in the summer. The 24-year-old began his senior career at Liefering before spells at RB Salzburg, St. Gallen and Freiburg, where he scored seven goals in 67 games in all competitions. Adamu has been capped nine times by Austria but is yet to score for his country. He told Celtic TV he was “very excited to be here,” wants to help win the title and the cup, score goals, improve as a player and believes he has a strong connection with the manager. “I’m dangerous in the box and hungry for goals,” he added.
Celtic then confirmed the arrival of 20-year-old central defender Benjamin Arthur on loan from Brentford until the end of the season. Arthur made his first-team debut for the Premier League side earlier this season, featuring in a League Cup win over Aston Villa, and has represented England at youth levels. He said he was “really honoured and happy to be joining Celtic,” called it “one of the world’s biggest clubs,” and said he is ready to help the squad bring more success.
Winger Joel Mvuka joined on loan from Lorient until the end of the season, with an option to buy. The 22-year-old became Celtic’s fifth and final January signing. Mvuka’s permanent move had been in doubt after issues with his medical, but the loan was completed. The Norwegian recalled the memory of hearing the fans sing “You’ll Never Walk Alone” at Celtic Park and said he knows former Bodø/Glimt team-mate Sebastian Tounekti, is a fast winger who can play on either flank and is eager to get started.
Celtic are also reported to be interested in free-agent midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. There is no rush to complete any deal as he remains unattached; he is training with Arsenal and manager Mikel Arteta has not ruled out re-signing him. With Arsenal dealing with injuries, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s experience is viewed as potentially useful.
Separately, Celtic rejected Nottingham Forest’s third bid for midfielder Arne Engels, reportedly worth up to £25m. Forest were said to have offered a guaranteed £20m plus £5m in add-ons. Celtic had previously turned down two earlier offers, including a £17.3m proposal, and decided not to sell their club-record signing this window. Engels, 22, was signed from Augsburg for £11m in August 2024 and has around two-and-a-half years remaining on his contract.
There were three outgoing moves from Celtic Park on Deadline Day: Stephen Welsh returned to Motherwell on loan, goalkeeper Tobi Oluwayemi moved to Leyton Orient on a permanent deal, and Johnny Kenny signed for Bolton Wanderers on loan until the end of the season.