Celtic FC transfer news, rumours, and updates live: Kasper Schmeichel Joins Celtic

As per a recent report by ‘Premier League’ on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), English club Brighton & Hove Albion has signed Scottish Premiership side Celtic FC’s midfielder Matt O’Riley on a permanent transfer costing around €29.5 million (via Transfermarkt).

O’Riley has reportedly joined the Seagulls on a five-year contract. Brighton is off to a really good start to their 2024-25 Premier League campaign with two wins in their first two outings. Now, fans have more to cheer into, as a quality addition like Matt O’Riley will only make the Sussex-based side more dangerous to come up against.

The 23-year-old though born in England, represents Denmark on the international stage. O’Riley has played for England’s under-18 and under-16 sides at the youth level.

According to a recent report from ‘Sports Mole‘, citing football editor ‘Chris Wheatley’, Scottish Premiership club Celtic FC’s midfielder Reo Hatate is on the transfer radar of the Premier League club Leicester City.

The report further lays down that, Hatate is also ‘keen’ upon a move to the Premier League and wants to test himself in one of the most competitive leagues around the world.

The Japan international has also received transfer interest from some of the top clubs in Spain and Italy, the names of which still remain unspecified.

Hatate was an integral part of Celtic lifting the Scottish Premiership title last campaign. In his 12 starts for the club, the previous season, the 26-year-old had seven goal contributions to his name (three goals and four assists).

A player like him could really bolster Steve Cooper’s options at Leicester.

The Reds are ready to offload both Bobby Clark and Ben Doak in this summer transfer window, either on loan or on a permanent deal. The two teenagers have been linked with several clubs this summer.

Ben Doak, who is considered one of the brightest prospects at Liverpool with Celtic claimed to be most interested in the talented forward. He has great potential and only a special offer would make sense for the Scottish international.

On the other hand, Red Bull Salzburg manager Pep Lijnbders is interested in a permanent move for Bobby Clark, but their initial £6 million bid had been rejected.

Celtic have announced the signing of Denmark’s veteran goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel on a one-year deal. The 37-year-old arrives as a free agent bringing a wealth of experience to the Scottish champions.

Schmeichel recently played for Anderlecht in Belgium following a season with Ligue 1 side Nice. He is best known for his impressive 11-year stint at Leicester City where he helped the team win the Premier League in 2016 and the FA Cup in 2021. With 479 appearances for the Foxes Schmeichel ranks third in Leicester’s all-time appearance list.

The Danish international who has earned 105 caps since his debut in 2013 expressed his excitement:

“I am absolutely delighted to join Celtic and can’t wait to get started. Celtic is one of the world’s proper football clubs, a massive name and a place of real passion and success.”

Schmeichel reunites with Brendan Rodgers who managed Leicester from 2019 to 2023. Rodgers commented,

“I am really pleased to bring Kasper to Celtic. He is a real quality keeper and someone with the ability and personality to be great for us.”

Schmeichel will join Celtic on their pre-season tour in the United States before they host Kilmarnock in their Scottish Premiership opener on August 4.

According to ‘Daily Mail’, the Scottish Premiership club Celtic FC has reached an agreement with Liga Portugal side SL Benfica for midfielder Paulo Bernardo in a deal quoted to be worth about €4.2 million. Bernardo spent last season on loan at Celtic from Benfica. The season in which Celtic went on to lift the Scottish Premiership title.

On the expiry of his loan period, he joined his principle club Benfica back on June 30, 2024. However, as things stand it looks like Celtic wants to have Paulo Bernardo back. The 22-year-old scored three goals and registered three assists in his 19 appearances for Celtic in the previous season of SPFL. His current contract with Benfica reportedly runs till June 2027.

As per a report from ‘CaughtoffSide’, Premier League club Leicester City is in the race to sign talented midfielder Matt O’Riley from Celtic FC. The 23-year-old player gathered the eyeballs after scintillating performances in the 2023-24 Scottish Premiership season.

Matt O’Riley smashed 13 goals and had 11 assists to his name in 32 matches of the last top-tier SPFL campaign. However, Leicester’s Premier League rivals Southampton, and Brighton are also reportedly interested in signing the player. O’Riley majorly plays as a central midfield but can play as an attacking and defensive midfielder as well.

His current contract with Celtic darts till May 2027. Matt O’Riley could be a great addition to Steve Cooper’s squad if the Foxes do manage to sign him. The London-born Danish player looks pretty much tailor-made for the Premier League.

As the report from ‘CaughtoffSide‘ signifies that, Celtic value Matt O’Riley at a hefty sum of around £50 million. The amount could turn out to be an issue for the Foxes, especially bearing in mind their recent troubles with the alleged breach of the Premier League’s PSR (Profit and Sustainability Rules) regime.

Leicester are also seeking a replacement for Dewsbury-Hall, who they recently sold to Chelsea, and as per ‘GiveMeSport’ the Foxes’ scouts hierarchy has labeled Matt O’Riley as the player who could potentially fill in that spot. Whether the English club pursues their interest in the player ahead or not remains to be seen.

The Bhoys are reportedly interested in signing 30-year-old goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo who plays for French Ligue 2 club Lorient. Celtic are in the market for a new goalkeeper following Joe Hart’s retirement at the end of last season.

Manager Brendan Rogers has a wishlist of keepers like Martin Dúbravka, Caoimhin Kelleher and Dominik Livaković but is keen to sign Swiss goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo who will be available on a free transfer.

The 30-year-old goalkeeper has been officially told by his club Lorient that he’s free to leave the club despite his contract expiring in the summer of 2025. The Celts has now positioned themselves in the race for the experienced shot-stopper along with Parma and French side Nantes.