Celtic make move to sign former Hearts star James Penrice | OneFootball

Celtic have reportedly made contact with AEK Athens to sign left-back James Penrice. The 27-year-old made the switch to Greece in 2025, with Hearts receiving £2m for the player.

According to transfer journalist Ben Jacobs, Celtic have made contact with the Super League side as they look to tempt ex-Livingston defender to Glasgow East End.

You would imagine that Celtic would have to pay in excess of the £2m that AEK paid for Penrice. The product of the Partick Thistle Academy has made 33 appearances for the Greek side, assisting once. His figures from Hearts are impressive, considering the circumstances of that season at Tynecastle. The left-back made 46 appearances, scoring twice and assisting on seven occasions.

Celtic are in the market for a left back to act as cover for Tierney after no deal was forthcoming to re-sign Marcelo Saracchi. The 28-year-old was instrumental in Celtic’s final day success over Hearts, playing the defence splitting pass that helped Callum Osmand slide the ball into the path of Daizen Maeda to give Celtic the lead.

Penrice would satisfy Celtic’s quotas for homegrown talent in Europe and Celtic would be getting a player that can ably deputise to Tierney, getting game time and improving, as well as moving closer to home.

Celtic are close to signing Mika Baur from SC Paderborn with the midfielder expected to arrive for £4m. The 22-year-old won the Player of the Year award as he helped Paderborn gain promotion to the Bundesliga. Celtic are also keen on signing Kasper Hogh and Haissem Hassan, with both players reportedly available this summer.