Celtic have sealed their second transfer deal of the summer window with a move for free agent Kasper Schmeichel.
Schmeichel to Celtic is a deal that has been well reported on over the last week as the Bhoys look to strengthen the goalkeeper department following Joe Hart’s retirement.
The contracts have been signed and Schmeichel has become the first recognised starter to bolster Brendan Rodgers’ squad options.
Keep up with the latest news and reaction throughout the evening, with the official announcement from Celtic breaking.
- Celtic officially announce transfer
- Celtic agree terms with Kasper Schmeichel
- Kasper Schmeichel’s Celtic contract
- Kasper Schmeichel says goodbye to Anderlecht
Schmeichel sends message to Celtic fans
The goalkeeper has posted on Instagram: “A dream come true to sign for a club with such a rich legacy as Celtic. Excited to be part of this historic club and follow in the footsteps of giants. A new journey starts, can’t wait to get to work!”
Kasper Schmeichel reacts to Celtic move
The goalkeeper said: “I am absolutely delighted to join Celtic and can’t wait to get started.
“Celtic is one of the world’s proper football clubs, a massive name and a place of real passion and success. Celtic is what football is all about.”
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Celtic announce Kasper Schmeichel’s signing
Kasper Schmeichel is officially a Bhoy, joining on a one-year deal.
Celtic go Danish
Celtic have teased the Kasper Schmeichel announcement with a simple Danish flag emoji, already garnering thousands of engagements.
The announcement is incoming!
Fabrizio Romano says Celtic announcement will come tonight
Journalist Fabrizio Romano believes the Celtic announcement of Kasper Schmeichel’s signing will come tonight.
Following on from an update out of Denmark earlier, he has corroborated that the deal has been done.
Joe Hart’s big thumbs up for Kasper Schmeichel
Before Kasper Schmeichel was even linked with Celtic, the man he is replacing had a lengthy column on the BBC Sport website dedicated to the Dane.
Joe Hart is a friend and former teammate of Schmeichel and was adamant he is still a shot-stopper who can perform at a high level.
He said: “His strengths as a goalkeeper are his physique and his power. He turned himself into an incredible athlete at a young age, and that has never changed. He is aggressive and assertive, and he can do things that a lot of other keepers can’t.”
You can read the full story below…
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Brendan Rodgers’ lavish praise for Schmeichel at Leicester
Back in 2019, Brendan Rodgers described his Leicester City goalkeeper as one of the best in Europe.
He said: “Is he up there with Ederson and Alisson? Absolutely no question. He is one of the top goalkeepers in European football. Hopefully, you’re seeing all his qualities.
“He probably doesn’t get the credit he deserves, there’s no doubt about that. Everyone talked about his father but this is a boy who in his own right has come through the hard way.
“You can never imagine it, to play under the [tag of] ‘Peter Schmeichel’s my dad’. But that’s something he’s had to fight with all his life.
“And now it’s about Kasper Schmeichel, which he’s thoroughly deserved. He looks after his body. He’s fit, you see how lean he is, and that helps his concentration. He’s got great energy and he’s a real leader within our squad.”
It’s that kind of quality the Celtic boss is looking to tap in with this latest transfer move.
[Link]Celtic continue to enjoy USA surroundings
Celtic’s hard work continues at the training camp across the Atlantic with Brendan Rodgers preparing his players for this weekend’s friendly against DC United.
New signing Viljima Sinisalo was spotted in sessions earlier at the George Mason University.
Celtic agree terms with Kasper Schmeichel
Tipsbladet journalist Farzam Abolhosseini is now reporting that Kasper Schmeichel has signed his Celtic contract.
They say it’s a ‘done deal’ – all we’re waiting on at this stage is the official announcement post from Celtic.
Kasper Schmeichel’s Celtic contract
When news of Celtic’s firm interest in the Dane broke it was reported by journalist Fabrizio Romano that he’d be signing an initial one-year contract with the Scottish champions.
It’s said that there will be the option of extending that for another 12 months.
That all makes sense given Schmeichel’s age. This isn’t going to be a long-term relationship, but one that could be very beneficial for both parties over the coming season.
New goalkeeper could feature for Celtic quickly
While this weekend’s match against DC United will likely come too soon for Schmeichel, there are other opportunities for him to make his debut before too long.
Either of the upcoming games against Manchester City and Chelsea in the USA are fine chances for him to make his debut.
He’ll want some match practice with his new defence before the competitive action kicks off in just over a fortnight at home to Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership.
[Link]Schmeichel’s biggest and best saves
A new Celtic signing isn’t complete without the obligatory YouTube montage, so enjoy this look from Leicester City at some of the Dane’s biggest contributions during his career in England.
Kasper Schmeichel’s impressive 2023/24 season
The 37-year-old had an impressive 2023/24 season at Anderlecht.
He ranked number one in Belgium when it came to save percentage (79.3%), as well as in the goals prevented metric (14.36).
The incoming Celtic signing was also one of the busiest shot-stoppers in the league with 3.9 saves per 90 minutes.
After a difficult year at Nice following his Leicester City exit, the Dane bounced back to more than deserve his spot in the national team at this summer’s Euros.
[Link]Kenny Dalglish said Schmeichel to Celtic was a ‘no-brainer’
Some have raised eyebrows at Schmeichel’s age and discussed whether or not that should be a concern for Celtic. He is a few months older than the recently retired Hart, after all.
However, Bhoys legend Kenny Dalglish summed it up well earlier this week, telling The Sunday Post: “He has been Denmark’s No. 1 at the Euros and has excellent stats from his spell at Anderlecht last season. We all know that Joe looked as though he had a couple of years left in him. Also, Craig Gordon is still playing into his 40s. Allan Mcgregor was great for Rangers at 40 too.
“So, all things considered, and the fact there is no transfer fee involved, makes this transfer a no-brainer.”
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Celtic’s goalkeeper options
It has been a big week for the goalkeeping department. Earlier this week, Celtic announced the signing of Finnish international Viljami Sinisalo from Aston Villa.
He’s set to be number two behind Schmeichel with Scott Bain also still at the club to provide depth in the position.
Benjamin Siegrist is expected to move on to another club this summer.
There are youth options further down the pecking order including Tobi Oluwayemi and Josh Clarke.
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Kasper Schmeichel sends goodbye to Anderlecht
A surefire sign a player is about to be announced at a new club is when they say farewell to their old one on social media.
Kasper Schmeichel has just sent a message to Anderlecht supporters on Instagram, stating: “Grateful for my time at Anderlecht – a club with incredible passion and history. I’ll always remember the memories and friendships made here.”
Schmeichel made 32 appearances in all competitions for the Belgian club throughout the 2023/24 campaign.
[Link]Schmeichel to Celtic – quick analysis
Celtic’s search for a new number-one goalkeeper has been ongoing for months, ever since Joe Hart announced his retirement from football.
It was crucial that Brendan Rodgers found a quality option to take the Bhoys into a new season.
Hopes are high that Schmeichel will be exactly that. He’s still competing at a high level having represented Denmark at Euro 2024 and performed well for Anderlecht last season.
Rodgers knows exactly what he’s getting from the shot-stopper having worked closely with him at Leicester City.
[Link]Kasper Schmeichel completes medical and heads to USA
It has been reported by Tipsbladet journalist Farzam Abolhosseini that Kasper Schmeichel completed his medical earlier this week.
He has been in transit towards the club’s USA training camp to meet up with his new Celtic teammates and be officially unveiled as a Bhoy.
This means an announcement from the club could now come at any time.
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