It’s the passion and love for your favourite club that makes football more than just a sport. The fans live for magical moments on the pitch, the enthrilling wins and the success of the team, reflected in trophies and records. But behind the beautiful game, there is a more pragmatic financial aspect which serves as the machinery that makes those magical moments possible.
Celtic, a club with a rich history and a passionate fanbase, understands that success in modern football requires strategic investment. Thus, the club’s transfer activity in recent years has reflected the delicate equilibrium between on-the-field success and financial success.
Celtic has made financial commitments keeping two goals in mind: the players should deliver on the pitch while also potentially promising future income on the transfer market. Football is never only about the money, but money is an undeniable key element of building a competitive team and a well-run club. This article will analyse the three most-expensive signings by the Celts in recent years.
1. Arne Engels from FC Augsburg
Managing money efficiently isn’t just a challenge for football clubs—it’s part of the game in many related areas, even in football-themed casino games. Whether you’re negotiating transfers or spinning the reels on slots like the Celtic Football Club Slot, smart financial moves matter. While players in online casinos can deposit using PayPal at casinos listed on https://legalcasino.uk/payments/paypal/ or turn to Skrill or Neteller for flexibility, football clubs still rely on traditional banking methods. Celtic certainly put those to work during the 2024/25 season, when all three of their most expensive signings arrived.
On top of the list sits Arne Engels, who joined Celtic from FC Augsburg for €11 million in the summer of 2024. The young Belgian midfielder is only in his first season at Celtic Park so it may be too early to draw long-term conclusions about his football. However, he has had a very good start so far, scoring 10 goals and providing 12 assists in 49 games for the Hoops, being a key player in Brendan Rodgers’ system.
There are also other factors that indicate that Engels will end up being a worthy investment. Firstly, his transfer market value has increased from €9 million at the time of his arrival to €12 million as per the latest Transfermarkt update. And second, his performances in the Scottish Premiership have earned him a spot in the Belgium national team squad.
Engels is still only 21 years old and is very likely to only get better with age. His future performances will certainly play crucial roles in the success of the team. Additionally, he may attract the interest of clubs from the top European leagues, and the club may be able to sell him for a sum far above their initial investment.
2. Jota from Stade Rennais
Although Jota is a recent signing too, he can be confidently called a successful transfer investment because this is his return to Celtic Park. As a quick recap, Jota initially joined the Bhoys on loan from Benfica in the 2021/22 season. His brilliant contribution with 13 goals in 40 total appearances helped Celtic to claim the Scottish Premiership and Scottish League Cup that year. It was no surprise when the club triggered his €7.5 million release clause the next summer, making him a permanent member of the squad.
But his permanent stay was cut short when an insane offer from Saudi Arabia arrived, and the Portuguese forward moved to Al Ittihad for €29.1 million. Although 30% of the fee went to Benfica, his departure was a net income for the club’s coffers.
Jota did not like it in the Middle East, returning to Europe in the summer of 2024, signing for Stade Rennais. And in the winter of 2025, 18 months later, he returned to Celtic Park in a move valued at €10 million. The Parkhead faithful already know Jota’s level and he will certainly contribute to Celtic’s big wins to come.
3. Adam Idah from Norwich City
Adam Idah is another recent signing, joining from Norwich City for €9.9 million at the start of the 2024/25 campaign. It is worth mentioning that the Irish striker had spent four months on loan at Celtic Park before his permanent move.
Just like in the case of Arne Engels, we will have to speculate about the financial viability of this transfer, but his case is not as straightforward. So far in 2024/25, the 24-year-old has scored 15 goals in 48 appearances for the Bhoys, which are decent but not spectacular numbers for a centre-forward. Moreover, Idah is not an undisputed starter for Rodgers, beginning over half of the matches on the bench.
Considering that Transfermarkt value Adam at €5.5 million while Celtic paid almost double that for his arrival, it is difficult to justify his transfer from a financial point of view. But things may change in the future.
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