CONFIRMED: Celtic agree deal to sign Augsburg's Arne Engels

Ronan Murphy

Updated: 29 Aug 2024 15:22 BST
3 min read

Celtic are set to sign versatile midfielder Arne Engels after reaching an agreement with Augsburg, FootballTransfers can confirm.

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As revealed exclusively earlier this month, the Bhoys had made Engels their top priority after signing Republic of Ireland striker Adam Idah for close to €10m.

Bundesliga side Augsburg rejected Celtic's initial offer for Engels, meaning the Scottish giants had to increase their offer to match Augsburg's asking price, with the total fee at £11 million (€13m), after bonuses, for the Belgian.

Augsburg have also included a 20 per cent sell-on clause in the agreement, meaning they should profit again if the midfielder is a success at Celtic Park.

Engels has been utilised in a variety of positions since moving to Augsburg from Club Brugge, where he had been a standout player for their academy side, Club NXT.

Initially arriving as a defensive midfielder, Engels's all-round ability saw him stand-in at right-back and right-wing for the Bundesliga club, even earning him the attention of Belgium manager Domenico Tedesco.

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Engels was called into Tedesco's Belgium training camp ahead of Euro 2024 and although he did not make the final squad, he is seen as someone who has a big future with the Red Devils.

Arne Engels to Celtic

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has also been impressed by Engels' versatility, and conversations between Celtic and Engels during negotiations indicated that the Bhoys boss could even use the 20-year-old in a more attacking role in the Scottish Premiership.

© IMAGO - Arne Engels' versatility was seen as a useful trait by Brendan Rodgers

Engels scored three times for Augsburg in the Bundesliga last season, and impressed with his crossing ability when deployed as a right-winger.

There is a belief that despite Engels' background as a defensive midfielder, he has all the tools to replace Matt O'Riley's impact at Celtic last season.

O'Riley's record sale of €20m helped finance the deal to bring in Engels, and Celtic fans would be overjoyed if he can be a like-for-like replacement at the club this season.