Celtic's most expensive transfers of all time [ranked]
![Celtic's most expensive transfers of all time [ranked]](/content/images/size/w960/2024/05/celtic-kyogo.jpg)
Celtic under Brendan Rodgers have secured their ninth Scottish Premiership title in ten years. Their dominance in Scotland is unparalleled, with their rivals, Rangers, unable to reignite a true Old Firm. With fans unable to attend the away fixtures of the Old Firm derby, the rivalry is dwindling with Celtic's winning attitude turning what was a two-horse race, into a one-horse race.
Over the years, Celtic have spent big in the transfer market. Whilst Celtic have not spent as much money as their English counterparts in the Premier League, their spending has been astronomical when compared to other Scottish clubs.
We analyse the biggest transfers, club-record signings, and most expensive players in Celtic F.C.'s history. We go through each transfer, highlighting which of Celtic's big-money signings have worked, and which have flopped.
Celtic's top 16 club-record signings [ranked]
16. Mark Viduka
Position: Centre-Forward
Nationality: Australia, Croatia
From: NK Croatia Zagreb (Croatia)
Season: 98/99
Transfer Fee: €5.35 million
Mark Viduka, a prolific striker, made a significant move from NK Croatia Zagreb to Celtic. The Australian impressed in the Scottish Premier League with his strength and goal-scoring ability. Viduka scored 30 league goals in just under two seasons, which secured him a move to Champions League outfit Leeds United in 2000.
15. Kyogo Furuhashi
Position: Centre-Forward
Nationality: Japan
From: Vissel Kobe (Japan)
Season: 21/22
Transfer Fee: €5.4 million
Japan international Kyogo Furuhashi joined Celtic from Vissel Kobe, aiming to make an impact with his pace and goal-scoring prowess for the Hoops. Very much an Ange Postecoglou signing, Kyogo scored 27 league goals in 36 league games in the 22/23 season, making €5.4 million seem like a steal.
14. Albian Ajeti
Position: Centre-Forward
Nationality: Switzerland, Albania
From: West Ham United (England)
Season: 20/21
Transfer Fee: €5.5 million
Albian Ajeti, the Swiss-Albanian striker, made a notable move from West Ham to Celtic, and aimed to rediscover his goal-scoring form at Celtic Park. But the former Basel youth player only scored 9 times in 48 league games for Celtic, before he rejoined FC Basel.
13. Joos Valgaeren
Position: Centre-Back
Nationality: Belgium
From: Roda JC Kerkrade (Netherlands)
Season: 00/01
Transfer Fee: €5.7 million
Belgian defender, Joos Valgaeren, joined Celtic for €5.7 million from Roda JC Kerkrade.
12. Scott Brown
Position: Central Midfield
Nationality: Scotland
From: Hibernian FC (Scotland)
Season: 07/08
Transfer Fee: €6.6 million
The now-Celtic legend, Scott Brown, made a significant move from Hibernian to Celtic for just €6.6 million in 2007. Brown became a key figure in the Hoops' midfield with his tenacity, leadership, and physicality that put fear in the hearts of the opposition.
11. Cameron Carter-Vickers
Position: Centre-Back
Nationality: United States, England
From: Tottenham Hotspur (England)
Season: 22/23
Transfer Fee: €7 million
Cameron Carter-Vickers signed as a promising defender who never really hit his potential at Spurs. The USMNT international impressed on loan, and was subsequently signed by Celtic on a permanent basis for €7 million.
10. Rafael Scheidt
Position: Centre-Back
Nationality: Brazil, Germany
From: Grêmio (Brazil)
Season: 99/00
Transfer Fee: €7.2 million
Brazilian defender Rafael Scheidt joined from Grêmio for €7.2 million, a club-record signing at the time. Rafael Scheidt became the anchor of the Hoops' defence with his physicality and aerial prowess.
9. Jozo Simunovic
Position: Centre-Back
Nationality: Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina
From: GNK Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia)
Season: 15/16
Transfer Fee: €7.5 million
Jozo Simunovic's €7.5 million to Celtic became a new club record for a defender at the time. The Croatian-Bosnian defender joined Celtic from Dinamo Zagreb, bringing composure and defensive solidity to Celtic Park.
8. Christopher Jullien
Position: Centre-Back
Nationality: France
From: FC Toulouse (France)
Season: 19/20
Transfer Fee: €8 million
French centre-back, Christopher Jullien, moved from Toulouse to Celtic for a fee of €8 million, with the French player providing defensive solidity and leadership to the Hoops' backline. Celtic likely expected that for the fee of €8 million, they were getting the next Virgil van Dijk. Instead, they made a huge loss with Jullien, eventually selling the player to Montpellier for just €1 million.
7. Neil Lennon
Position: Central Midfield
Nationality: Northern Ireland
From: Leicester City (England)
Season: 00/01
Transfer Fee: €8.63 million
Northern Irish midfielder, Neil Lennon, joined Celtic from Leicester City for €8.63 million. Lennon became a key figure almost immediately in the Hoops' midfield with his passing and work rate. Lennon would go on to become a club legend, and would eventually become a much-loved manager at Celtic Park.
6. Eyal Berkovic
Position: Attacking Midfield
From: West Ham United (England)
Season: 99/00
Transfer Fee: €8.8 million
The skilful midfielder, Eyal Berkovic, made his move from West Ham to Celtic for €8.8 million.
5. John Hartson
Position: Centre-Forward
Nationality: Wales
From: Coventry City (England)
Season: 01/02
Transfer Fee: €9 million
Welsh striker John Hartson joined Celtic from Coventry City for €9 million. Hartson led the line remarkably well with his physical presence and goal-scoring ability for the Hoops, going on to create an incredible partnership with Henrick Larsson.
4. Chris Sutton
Position: Centre-Forward
Nationality: England
From: Chelsea FC (England)
Season: 00/01
Transfer Fee: €9.5 million
Chris Sutton, the versatile English forward, made a high-profile move to Celtic after a woeful time at Chelsea. The Premier League winner with Blackburn found his goalscoring form at Celtic, making the €9.5 million spent by Celtic seem like it was worth every penny.
3. Odsonne Edouard
Position: Centre-Forward
Nationality: France, French Guiana
From: Paris Saint-Germain (France)
Season: 18/19
Transfer Fee: €10.3 million
French striker, Odsonne Edouard, joined Celtic from Paris Saint-Germain. After impressing with his prolific goalscoring ability, he was then sold to Crystal Palace for €21 million.
2. Adam Idah
Position: Striker
Nationality: Ireland
From: Norwich City (England)
Season: 24/25
Transfer Fee: €11.2 million
Adam Idah has become Celtic's second-most-expensive transfer of all time after joining Park Head from Norwich City for a reported £9.5 million (€11.2 million).
Idah spent the 23/24 season on loan at the Glaswegian club, scoring just six goals in 28 appearances in the league.
Fans will question whether or not the fee represents value-for-money, but Idah is an all-round forward who prides himself on his ability to involve himself in build-up play, as opposed to just delivering goals.
1. Jota
Position: Left Winger
Nationality: Portugal
From: SL Benfica (Portugal)
Season: 22/23
Transfer Fee: €16.2 million
Talented Portuguese winger, Jota, made the move from Benfica to Celtic to compete for top honours in Scotland. Jota dazzled Celtic fans with his dribbling skills and versatility in attack. Jota is the most expensive signing in Celtic's history, having joined for €16.2 million from Benfica. Jota now plays in the Saudi Pro League, Al-Ittihad.
Celtic may push to break their record-signing this summer, with Brendan Rodgers asserting that he would like reinforcements to help Celtic finally have a good European run. Fans can anticipate that this summer may see Celtic break their record transfer.
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