Celtic completed three Deadline Day signings, bringing in striker Junior Adamu, winger Joel Mvuka and defender Benjamin Arthur on loan deals.
Austrian international Junior Adamu was the first to arrive, joining from Bundesliga side SC Freiburg on a loan with an option to make the move permanent in the summer. The 24-year-old began his senior career at Liefering and has had spells with RB Salzburg, St. Gallen and Freiburg, where he scored seven goals in 67 appearances in all competitions. Adamu has nine caps for Austria. He told Celtic TV he was ‘very excited to be here’, wants to help the club win the league and cup, score goals and continue improving. He added he feels a strong connection with the manager and described himself as ‘dangerous in the box’ and ‘hungry for goals.’
The club then confirmed the loan signing of 20-year-old central defender Benjamin Arthur from Brentford until the end of the season. Arthur made his first-team debut for the Premier League side earlier this season 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 the club ‘one of the world’s biggest’ and said he is ready to help the squad chase more success.
Winger Joel Mvuka arrived on loan from Lorient until the end of the season, with an option to buy, becoming Celtic’s fifth and final January signing. The 22-year-old Norwegian had seen a permanent move delayed after medical issues, but the loan was completed. Mvuka recalled hearing fans sing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ at Celtic Park, said he knows former Bodø/Glimt team-mate Sebastian Tounekti, and described himself as a quick winger capable of playing on either flank and eager to get started.
Celtic are also reported to be interested in free-agent midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. There is no rush to conclude any deal: Oxlade-Chamberlain is currently training with Arsenal and manager Mikel Arteta has not ruled out re-signing him. With Arsenal managing injuries, his experience is seen as potentially useful.
On transfer exits, Celtic rejected Nottingham Forest’s third bid for midfielder Arne Engels, reported to be worth up to £25m (£20m guaranteed plus £5m of add-ons). The club had previously turned down two offers, including a £17.3m bid, and chose not to sell their club-record signing this window. Engels, 22, joined from Augsburg for £11m in August 2024 and has around two-and-a-half years remaining on his contract.
There were three outgoing moves on Deadline Day: defender Stephen Welsh returned to Motherwell on loan, goalkeeper Tobi Oluwayemi completed a permanent move to Leyton Orient, and forward Johnny Kenny joined Bolton Wanderers on loan until the end of the season.