The 10 most expensive Scottish Premiership transfers of all time

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 10 Oct 2024 16:02 BST
• 6 min read

The Scottish Premiership is home to one of the fiercest derbies in world football, with Celtic and Rangers battling it out to be top dog every season.

Both clubs have superior resources compared to the rest of the division, meaning they are able to spend more money on new signings.

Below, FootballTransfers runs through the 10 most expensive Scottish Premiership transfers of all time.

READ MORE: The 10 most expensive Premier League transfers of all time

10. Neil Lennon - €8.6m (Leicester to Celtic, 2000)

After months of negotiations with Leicester, Celtic finally reached an agreement to sign Neil Lennon in December 2000.

Lennon went on to make 293 appearances for the club across a seven-year spell, winning 11 trophies along the way. He returned to the club as manager in 2010.

READ MORE: The 10 most expensive La Liga transfers of all time

9. Eyal Berkovic - €8.8m (West Ham to Celtic, 1999)

Eyal Berkovic provided 21 assists during his final two Premier League seasons at West Ham, but he only managed to provide one across his two years with Celtic.

The Israel midfielder did score 12 goals for the Scottish giants, but he failed to win a league title during his time at the club and he departed for Manchester City in 2001.

8. John Hartson - €9m (Coventry to Celtic, 2001)

John Hartson only spent a few months at Coventry, but they sold him to Celtic for €9m having signed him on a free transfer from Wimbledon.

Hartson became a cult-hero at Celtic and although many thought he would be a rotation option upon his arrival, he went on to score 105 goals in 194 appearances, including against Barcelona at Camp Nou. Hartson eventually left Celtic to join West Brom in 2006.

7. Chris Sutton - €9.5m (Chelsea to Celtic, 2000)

Chelsea expected big things when they signed Premier League winner Chris Sutton for €15m in 1999. However, he scored just three goals during his only season at Stamford Bridge and was sold to Celtic after one year at the club.

Sutton rediscovered his form in Scotland and became a legend at Celtic. He was part of an incredibly forward unit that also included Henrik Larsson and the aforementioned Hartson, while he ended his time in Glasgow with 84 goals in 196 games.

6. Michael Ball - €9.8m (Everton to Rangers, 2001)

Five months after his one and only England cap, Michael Ball left Everton to join Rangers for €9.8m amid the Toffees’ financial woes.

However, injury problems and the prospect of his transfer fee rising due to an appearance-based clause ensured Ball only played 70 games during a four-year spell in Glasgow. He joined PSV Eindhoven in 2005.

5. Adam Idah - €9.9m (Norwich to Celtic, 2024)

Adam Idah only mustered 17 goals in 117 first-team games for Norwich City, but Celtic opted to sign him on a permanent deal after a successful loan spell in 2023-24.

The Irishman averaged a goal every 65 minutes in the Scottish Premiership during his half-season loan spell and Celtic made the decision to purchase him for €9.9m in August 2024.

4. Odsonne Edouard - €10.3m (PSG to Celtic, 2018)

Odsonne Edouard became Celtic’s all-time record signing when he joined the club in 2018, with PSG earning €10.3m through the sale.

Edouard was adored by Celtic fans during his time in Scotland, but he left to join Crystal Palace in 2021. In total, the Frenchman scored 87 goals in 179 Celtic appearances.

3. Arne Engels - €11m (Augsburg to Celtic, 2024)

Arne Engels joined Celtic in 2024 following the sale of Matt O’Riley to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Engels arrived with much acclaim from Augsburg, having shone in the Bundesliga, and he scored once and provided one assist on his Champions League debut for the Scottish giants.

2. Jota - €16.2m (Benfica to Celtic, 2022)

Jota joined Celtic on a permanent deal for around €7.8m in 2022, but The Bhoys were required to pay Benfica a total of €16.2m due to a 30% sell-on clause in the deal.

After 83 appearances and 28 goals for the club, Jota moved to Saudi Arabia for €29.1m, which ensured Celtic were forced to pay an additional fee to Benfica.

As a result, the aforementioned Engels is the second-most expensive new arrival in Scottish top flight history, but Jota exceeds his overall cost due to a sell-on clause included by Benfica.

1. Tore Andre Flo - €18m (Chelsea to Rangers, 2000)

Tore Andre Flo is the most expensive signings in Scottish top flight history. He joined Rangers from Chelsea for €18m in 2000, having netted 50 goals in 163 games for the Blues.

Flo spent just two years at Rangers, scoring 38 times, before returning to England with Sunderland in 2002.

The 10 most expensive Scottish Premiership signings of all time