Celtic Prioritise This World Cup Star As A Replacement For Wantaway Midfielder: Why He Would Be A Smart Pick | OneFootball

If a recent update from The Daily Record is believed to be true, Celtic are expected to part ways with Reo Hatate amid interest from the Greek giants Panathinaikos. They have already drawn up a replacement for the Japanese midfielder, with Hajduk Split star Niko Sigur being preferred over Torino’s Gvidas Gineitis.

The Shamrock are not alone in the race for Hatate, as clubs from the Middle East and other European leagues are also keeping close tabs on the 28-year-old Samurai Blue international’s situation. He has fallen behind Callum McGregor, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and the summer signing Mika Baur in the pecking order. However, the Celts would demand a significant seven-figure fee for their midfield ace, who is seeking a fresh challenge elsewhere but still has two years left in his Parkhead contract.

Why Celtic Must Step Up Negotiations

Sigur, on the other hand, is aware of the interest from the Scottish champions and has made it clear that he wants to join them before the window is slammed shut. The 22-year-old Canadian international caught the eye in the World Cup, and his current employers would not let him leave cheaply, given that his current deal expires in the summer of 2028.

MONTREAL, CANADA – JUNE 05: Niko Sigur #23 of Canada and Mason Melia #9 of the Republic of Ireland run after the ball in the second half during the international friendly match at Saputo Stadium on June 5, 2026, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

The Hajduk Split youngster progressed through Mountain United FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Vaughan Azzurri’s academy ranks back in his homeland before leaving for the youth setup of Slovenian outfit Radomlje. The Croatian giants secured his services in 2022 and eventually handed him his senior debut in April 2023 after injuries to the first-team duo Dino Mikanović and Gergő Lovrencsics.

Why Sigur Would Be A Smart Coup

Sigur has since cemented a regular role, exhibiting his versatility in both central midfield and right-back. Despite playing regularly for the Croatia U21 between 2023 and 2024, he switched his allegiance to Les Rouges and earned a key status under Jesse Marsch. There, he is primarily viewed as a ‘number 6’, but his flexibility and technical attributes have seen him emerge as a hybrid option who has excelled as an inverted fullback or a deep-lying playmaker.