Celtic’s new £9million man Haissem Hassan last night vowed to put the Parkhead outfit on the map in Europe and looks sure to have German playmaker Mika Baur with him to take on the continent’s best.
Hassan has signed a four-year deal with a further 12-month option after arriving from Spaniards Real Oviedo and Baur will be next to join Martin O’Neill’s men with a £6.8million deal having been agreed with SC Paderborn.
Baur missed training with the newly promoted Bundesliga side yesterday and the promising 22-year-old is understood to be in the final stages of hammering out a five-year deal in time for next week’s crucial Champions League qualifying play-off with Austrian double-winners LASK.
The twosome will join fellow new arrivals Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran as Celtic continue to splash the cash – with Hassan clear on what the side must now go on to deliver.
‘At Celtic, everything is about winning and that’s what I want,’ he told Celtic Player. ‘We need to prove we are still the best team in Scotland, qualify for the Champions League and have a good run in Europe.
‘I have come here to help the club win trophies and I am very excited about the prospect of celebrating a trophy with the supporters.
Haissem Hassan has joined Celtic on the back of playing for Egypt at the World Cup
Paderborn midfielder Mika Baur looks set to be next to land at Celtic, with a £6.8m deal close
‘Football is about entertainment and my first job is to bring enjoyment to the fans who come to the stadium. I’d say I am a skilful winger who likes one-on-one situations and combining with my team-mates.’
The Parkhead side are also believed to have placed Canadian World Cup star Niko Sigur high on their wanted list as they bid to bolster their midfield further – with West Ham United preparing to make a fresh bid to snatch Belgian ace Arne Engels.
Hajduk Split favourite Sigur operates in a more defensively minded role and Celtic look likely to be able to finance the deal by landing a proper windfall for Engels with West Ham refusing to give up their pursuit of the player.
The English Championship outfit see the 22-year-old Belgian as a major weapon for their attempt to climb back into the Premier League at the first time of asking and have already had offers batted away by Parkhead chief executive Michael Nicholson and his team.
Reports suggested Nicholson was holding out for £30million for the midfielder – signed from German outfit FC Augsburg for £11million back in August 2024 – after knocking back a £25million proposal from Nottingham Forest during the January transfer window.
However, sources in London believe West Ham will be able to get a deal done for something south of that – with hopes that, with the right structuring, they will shake hands on something broadly around the same value of the package Forest put forward.
Baur’s arrival could pave the way for Arne Engels to leave Celtic, with West Ham interested
Celtic boss O’Neill, meanwhile, has told fans to expect real entertainment from new boy Hassan.
‘We are delighted to bring Haissem to Celtic and I think the club has done really well to secure a player of such quality, with a number of other clubs interested in him,’ he said.
‘He is someone who I think has the ability and experience to do very well for us, performing at a high level in domestic and international football.
‘I know he is excited about being with us and I am sure our fans will enjoy the energy and attacking intent which Haissem will bring to matches.’
