Celtic Eye £3.5m Versatile Defensive Star In Imminent Transfer Move: Why Should They Hurry Up? | OneFootball

Celtic are pushing ahead with a move for Hajduk Split’s Niko Sigur, with respected transfer insider Ekrem Konur reporting that talks are already at an advanced stage. The Canada international, who turns 22 on 9 September, is exactly the sort of player Celtic could use right now. Right-back? Yes. Defensive midfield? Also yes. That versatility is a big part of the attraction.

A formal bid is expected soon. Sigur made 29 league appearances for Hajduk during the 2025/26 campaign, playing 2,225 minutes and producing one goal and two assists. Nothing spectacular on the face of it, perhaps, but his value isn’t really found in the numbers. He’s a structural player, someone who gives a manager options.

And then there’s the World Cup experience. Sigur represented Canada at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and recorded an 85 per cent passing accuracy. For a player still only 21, that’s useful seasoning.

T4O take: Why Celtic must make their move now

HOUSTON, TEXAS – JULY 04: Niko Sigur #23 of Canada arrives at the stadium before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Canada and Morocco at Houston Stadium on July 04, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The reported price is £3.5 million. Celtic shouldn’t overthink it.

Hajduk know Sigur is entering the final two years of his contract, which weakens their bargaining position. A deal around £3.5m, potentially with performance-related add-ons, looks perfectly manageable for the Scottish champions. Waiting could be risky, though.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are understood to be interested, while Celtic’s own need for another versatile midfielder has become clearer. Arne Engels has moved to West Ham United, Paulo Bernardo has left on loan and options in central areas are suddenly thinner.

Sigur would help there immediately. He could play as a defensive midfielder when Celtic need extra control, then drop into the right-back position if Alistair Johnston is unavailable. With Everton reportedly monitoring Johnston, that flexibility could prove particularly valuable.

The player himself is said to be keen on a move to Glasgow, too. Celtic don’t often get every piece of a transfer puzzle pointing in the same direction. There was a brief pause while Hajduk dealt with their UEFA Conference League play-off against Raków Częstochowa, which finished 2-2 in the first leg. That’s done now.

Celtic have their opportunity. £3.5m for a 22-year-old World Cup international who covers two positions is hardly reckless spending, particularly with Champions League money coming into Parkhead. The Hoops just need to get the deal over the line before somebody else decides to make it complicated.