“I hope to stay at Lech for a long time,” Luis Palma eyes Celtic exit

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The Celtic Star

·17 February 2026

“I hope to stay at Lech for a long time,” Luis Palma eyes Celtic exit

Out-of-favour Celtic winger Luis Palma has admitted he is keen to make his current spell in Poland a long-term stay…

Luis Palma of Celtic battles for possession with Lamare Bogarde of Aston Villa during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 match between Aston Villa FC and Celtic FC at Villa Park on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

The Honduras international is spending the season on loan with Lech Poznan, who hold an option to sign him permanently for around £4 million at the end of the campaign.

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Such a fee would represent a major financial outlay for the Polish club, potentially shattering their existing transfer record. As a result, Lech officials have previously indicated that any permanent deal would likely depend on Celtic lowering their asking price.

The 26 year-old remains under contract at Celtic for another two-and-a-half years but has signalled his desire to remain in Poznan beyond this season. He believes a fresh start could help him rediscover the form that first brought him to Scotland.

February 3, 2026, Gliwice, Poland: Luis Palma of Lech Poznan seen during Polish League PKO BP Ekstraklasa 2025/2026 football match between Piast Gliwice and Lech Poznan at Municipal Stadium Gliwice. IMAGO Photo Grzegorz Wajda

Despite that stance, the wide man has recently struggled for game time, finding himself among the substitutes in several of Lech’s latest fixtures.

However, Palma is understood to be keen to prove his worth and convince the club to sign him permanently.

Speaking via Glasgow Times, Palma said: “I hope to stay at Lech for a long time. But it’s not just my decision. I’m doing my thing day by day and I’m very happy about it.

“All I can do is keep doing that, but not everything depends on me. I have been a substitute in recent matches and that’s the decision of the manager. But I always have the team’s best interests at heart. I am working hard to get my place back in the team. That’s football for you.”

Luis Palma during UEFA Conference League league phase game between team of Lincoln Red Imps and Lech Poznan Maciej Rogowski/Ball Raw Images IMAGO

It is best for all parties if Palma leaves Celtic in the summer. He was one of the nine Mark Lawwell signings in the summer window of 2023 that was served up to Brendan Rodgers.

A window so bad it would give last summer’s a run for its money. Whether Celtic can hold out for a marginal profit on the Honduran remains to be seen, but with an overhaul needed at the Hoops in the coming months.

Conor Spence

Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order