Stefan Ortega is available on a free transfer following the end of the 2025-26 season.
Celtic’s interest in Ortega first emerged in the January transfer window, when the goalkeeper was put up for sale by Manchester City.
On deadline day, he signed for Nottingham Forest on a short-term contract. This hasn’t been extended, leaving him as a free agent ahead of the summer window.
Regardless of Viljami Sinisalo’s status in the pecking order for next season, a goalkeeper is a necessity for Celtic in the window, and Ortega could be an appealing option.
Has he done enough?
Stefan Ortega will be back on Celtic’s radar
The 33-year-old received a call-up for Germany at the height of his City form, but fell out of favour after they signed two goalkeepers in the summer.
He had been able to displace Ederson in major Champions League and Premier League encounters.
READ MORE: Frank McAvennie shares Robbie Keane Lennoxtown rumour amid Celtic talks
Upon joining Forest, he got the nod ahead of Matz Sels in their Europa League run, which saw them make the semi-final.
At 33, he is still a fair way from the age of Joe Hart and Kasper Schmeichel when the pair were brought to Glasgow. He brings immense composure on the ball, and a solid shot-stopping record off it.
He is very much a late bloomer, who never made a top-flight appearance until the age of 27. Eyebrows were certainly raised when City took him from Arminia Bielefeld on a free transfer, but he made over 50 appearances for the club.
Among the clubs to be linked with a free transfer are Wrexham and newly-relegated Wolfsburg. Hardly formidable competition.
With a seismic rebuild ahead this summer, Celtic could do with repeating the trick with an experienced, composed goalkeeping addition.
To stick with Viljami Sinisalo as first-choice after h
e showed clear fragilities whilst deputising as first-choice late this season would be a major risk.
Would Jari de Busser come in as Celtic’s first-choice goalkeeper?
Celtic’s goalkeeping priorities this summer
Most recently, there has been plenty of talk about Celtic’s interest in Jari de Busser, who is set to leave Go Ahead Eagles this summer.
Mat Ryan has been linked as a potential experienced option, whilst youngster Pierce Charles is also reportedly being chased by the Hoops.
Nikolas Polster has been watched by Celtic scouts; he too has made it clear that he expects to be on the move this summer.
Closer to home, Motherwell’s Calum Ward is also an option.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
