Celtic have been linked with Damian Bobadilla, who could be the long-term replacement for Reo Hatate.
Reports in Brazil have said that Celtic are watching Bobadilla ahead of a potential move in the summer.
He fits the criteria for one of the positions the Hoops are going to need to recruit in this summer, and could provide a different option. But who is he? 67 Hail Hail has everything you need to know.
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Damian Bobadilla, birthplace, nationality, position, height and weight
Damian Josue Bobadilla Benitez was born on 11 July 2001 in Asuncion, Paraguay, who is 24 years old at the time of writing.
He was raised in his homeland and went on to play for Cerro Porteno before making the move to Brazil in 2023, signing for Sao Paulo, where he still is today, playing as a midfielder.
Bobadilla is 1.81m, or 5′ 11″ tall and weighs 76kg.
When did Damian Bobadilla make his international debut?
Bobadilla made his senior debut for the Paraguay national team against Chile on 11 June 2024.
The midfielder came on as a half-time substitute but there was no win to cap off the day as Paraguay were beaten 3-0.
Since then, he has played 17 times for his country, scoring once in a friendly against Mexico.
Damian Bobadilla’s playing style
Bobadilla has been described as a box-to-box midfielder who is gifted in athleticism, but also the technical side of the game.
He can break up play and help provide the catalyst to get his side on the attacking foot while also proving to be a threat in the box from set pieces.
Another of his strengths is arriving late into the box, which will be music to the ears of the wide players who are looking to cut back to players in space.
Which Celtic player is most similar to Damian Bobadilla?
Based on what we know, Bobadilla sounds most like a mix of Reo Hatate and Callum McGregor.
Both are technically gifted but while Hatate could depart this summer, having a box-to-box type next to McGregor would elevate Celtic’s midfield to the next level.
Is Damian Bobadilla an upgrade on Celtic’s current midfield options?
Who would he be most likely to replace? 🤔
There are also grounds to say that he could eventually become McGregor’s long-term successor and become the brute enforcer the Hoops desperately need.
How to pronounce Damian Bobadilla’s name
Bobadilla’s name is relatively easy to pronounce although, in Spanish, the “ll” is pronounced like a “y” or “j” sound.
To say his name phonetically, it is pronounced as: dah-mee-AHN bo-ba-DEE-ya.
How much is Damian Bobadilla worth?
According to a report published by One Football, the 24-year-old is worth £10.5m in today’s market.
Given that his contract at Sao Paulo runs until December 2027, that will mean the Brazilian club can leverage a higher price, which may result in the Bhoys paying more than the record £11.5m fee they parted with for Arne Engels.
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