Happiness at Sebastian Tounekti’s first club after Celtic move | OneFootball

Sebastian Tounekti’s former managing director has praised his move to Celtic, noting that it has brought financial gains to his old Norwegian club Tromsdalen…

Sebastian Tounekti, Photo Celtic FC

The Tunisian international joined Brendan Rodgers’ side from Swedish outfit Hammarby for £5.2 million on deadline day last week, agreeing to a five-year contract with the Scottish champions.

Born and raised in Norway, Tounekti progressed through Tromsdalen’s academy and made his competitive debut for the club in 2018, prompting managing director Thomas Heide to express his excitement over the winger’s move to Glasgow.

Speaking via the Celtic Insider’s favourite newspaper  The Scottish Sun, Heide said: “This is the perfect move for Sebastian in so many ways. Personally, I love Glasgow. It’s one of my favourite cities in Europe and I have been many times.

“I know a really good curry house in the city centre and I look forward to returning there after watching Sebastian play for Celtic.”

Sebastian Tounekti of Hammarby during the UEFA Conference League qualifier football match between Hammarby and Rosenborg on August 14, 2025 in Stockholm. Photo: Emma Wallskog Imago BILDBYRAN

“For Tromsdalen, the transfer is also a help because we are due a payment through the FIFA rules,” Heide added. “I don’t know how much that will be, but every bit of finance helps, and we will welcome it.

“It could take a couple of years to arrive because it has to be worked out and routed through FIFA, but we know it is in the post. However, my real happiness for the move comes for Sebastian himself, and everyone at the club is proud to see him progress and join a massive worldwide name like Celtic.”

Sirius Isak Bjerkebo and Hammarby’s Sebastian Tounekti during the football match in Allsvenskan between Sirius and Hammarby on August 24, 2025 in Uppsala Photo TOBIAS STERNER

Following his first season as a senior professional, Tounekti joined Bodo/Glimt and had a loan spell at Groningen in the Eredivisie. Unable to establish himself at either club, he later moved to Haugesund before signing with Hammarby earlier this year.

Tounekti could make his first start for Celtic this weekend when Rodgers’ men take the short trip to Rugby Park to face Kilmarnock.

Conor Spence

More from Conor Spence on Sebastian Tounekti’s move to Celtic on the next page…

Celtic’s £2m over-payment claim on Tounekti transfer

Celtic’s abysmal summer transfer period is facing renewed criticism after it was claimed that Sebastian Tounekti’s valuation was around £2m less than the price ultimately paid…

Sebastian Tounekti of Hammarby during the UEFA Conference League qualifier football match between Hammarby and Rosenborg on August 14, 2025 in Stockholm. Photo: Emma Wallskog Imago BILDBYRAN

The Tunisian winger transferred from Swedish side Hammarby on deadline day for £5.5m, arriving at Celtic with just over an hour remaining in the window.

Although Brendan Rodgers sees him as a right-wing option who could serve as a replacement for Nicolas Kuhn, the signing has raised questions about whether it was worth the price.

On The Go Radio Football Show, journalist Mark Guidi disclosed that several English Championship teams had considered Celtic’s newest recruit Tounekti but passed on him due to a significantly lower asking price.

Guidi said: “I think it was a very disappointing transfer window for Celtic. Some of the fees that they’ve paid, I’m led to believe that the Tunisian winger, Tounekti, that he was on the radar of a couple of English Championship clubs during the window.

Hammarby’s Sebastian Tounekti tests a shot against GAIS goalkeeper Mergim Krasniqi during Sundays Allsvenskan in the match between Hammarby and GAIS at 3Arena STOCKHOLM SWEDEN Photo Henrik Montgomery IMAGO/TT

“They decided not to go for him and they believed that the fee was between two and a half to three to secure him and Celtic have paid over five by all accounts.”

Tounekti’s arrival was sealed against a backdrop of anger from supporters with Celtic’s transfer activity, as Kuhn departed for Como with no immediate replacement, Adam Idah moved to Swansea City on deadline day following the manager saying he wouldn’t leave without a replacement, and Kyogo’s anticipated January departure remains unresolved nine months on.

Sebastian Tounekti, Photo Celtic FC

Meanwhile, Yang was close to completing a transfer before it fell through at the eleventh hour as Celtic were scrambling about for attacking reinforcements. Also, Daizen Maeda revealed that he had reached an agreement with a club – believed to be in Germany – only for Celtic to intervene and block the deal because once again they didn’t plan for the departure of their best player.

A reminder, the Celtic boss had emphasised the need to revamp his squad, yet the summer ended with more questions than answers. The price paid for Tounekti and the way he was brought in have intensified fans’ frustration with the Celtic board, who are widely criticised for overseeing a chaotic transfer window and not for the first time either.

Conor Spence

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