Celtic have completed a club-record signing by landing striker Kasper Hogh from Bodo/Glimt for £11m plus add-ons, according to Sky Sports Football.
The 25-year-old was described as Celtic’s No 1 centre-forward target this summer and has signed a four-year contract, with the club holding an option to extend by a further year.
Hogh arrives after January enquiry and Champions League decision
Sky Sports report that Celtic made an enquiry for Hogh in January, but the forward opted to stay in Norway due to Bodo/Glimt’s run in the UEFA Champions League, which ended in the last 16.
During that spell, Hogh scored in what Sky Sports describe as a “famous” win away at Atletico Madrid in January, a moment that underlined his ability to impact big European nights and helped keep him on Celtic’s shortlist through to the summer window.
What Celtic are getting: goals, box presence and work rate
Hogh arrives with a strong scoring record in Norway. Sky Sports state he scored 53 goals in 102 appearances for Bodo/Glimt, output that goes a long way to explaining why Celtic were prepared to make the deal a club-record.
In his first interview after completing the move, Hogh spoke of the appeal of the club and his excitement at pulling on the shirt.
“I’m so happy. When I came into the room and saw the shirt, I was really excited. The history of the club is so big. I spoke with some people and with my family about the club. The feeling they had, and the feeling I had in my stomach, was that this was a really good match.”
Asked what supporters can expect, the striker outlined a profile that should translate smoothly to the demands of the Scottish Premiership: penalty-box occupation, finishing focus, and willingness to contribute without the ball.
“I like to be in the box and score goals, but I also want to help my team-mates defensively and work hard for the team.”
He also suggested he can hit the ground running, noting his summer conditioning and the fact he has already been playing competitive matches in Norway.
“I’ve trained throughout the summer and I’ve already played league games in Norway, so I feel ready. I just want to get started.”
Infographic-style stats
Fee: £11m plus add-ons (club record)
Age: 25
From: Bodo/Glimt
Contract: Four years + option for one more
Bodo/Glimt record: 53 goals in 102 appearances
Second summer arrival as attention turns to Dundee opener
Sky Sports add that Hogh is Celtic’s second summer arrival, and his signing comes with the league campaign around the corner: the champions open their Premiership season against Dundee, with the match set to be shown live on Sky Sports.
For Celtic, the timing matters. A club-record outlay for a centre-forward is a clear statement of intent ahead of the new domestic campaign and another European push, while the contract length (and extension option) indicates the club see Hogh as more than a short-term fix.
Context: Maeda exit to Ipswich follows
Hogh’s arrival also comes in the wake of an outgoing. Sky Sports report that Daizen Maeda has been sold to newly-promoted Premier League side Ipswich Town.
Maeda scored 79 goals for Celtic and won five Premiership titles, three Scottish Cups and two League Cups during his time in Glasgow, per Sky Sports. The same report notes he struggled for much of last season before rediscovering form late on, scoring nine goals in the final seven matches as Celtic secured a league and cup double.
Sky Sports add that Maeda had reiterated his desire to play in England’s top tier after the season ended, and he has now joined Ipswich on a three-year deal. The winger also scored for Japan at this summer’s World Cup, as they reached the last 32 before losing to Brazil, according to the same report.
Celtic’s recruitment work will ultimately be judged by what happens next: how quickly Hogh adapts to the tempo and physicality of Scottish football, and whether his goals can translate into the kind of consistency that wins tight domestic weekends and keeps European nights alive beyond the group phase.
For now, the headline is simple: Celtic have backed their plan with a record fee, and their new No 9 is already talking like a player eager to get into the box and get started.
