Celtic Plot Summer Move For This Premiership Custodian: Why He Would Be An Exciting Addition | OneFootball

If a recent transfer update from Sky Sports reporter Christopher Reidy is believed to be true, Celtic are keeping close tabs on Calum Ward ahead of a potential summer swoop. But they are not alone in the hunt, with Wycombe Wanderers and Polish club Jagiellonia Bialystok also monitoring the Motherwell custodian.

The 25-year-old English goalkeeper progressed through Bournemouth’s academy ranks but failed to break into their senior team. Instead, he spent successive loan stints in the non-league with Totton & Eling, Bashley, Thatcham Town and Weymouth before plying his trade in Finland to join Veikkausliiga outfit HIFK. After an initial loan spell, his move was made permanent in April 2021.

Ward joined fellow Finnish side AC Oulu ahead of the 2022 season. There, he impressed between the sticks and eventually joined Motherwell in February 2025. Although he was an understudy to Aston Oxborough, Ellery Balcombe, and Archie Mair in the second half of the 2024-25 season, Jens Berthel Askou’s arrival in the summer as the Well boss changed his fortune.

MOTHERWELL, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 30: Motherwell Goalkeeper Calum Ward celebrates the opening Motherwell goal during the Premier League match between Motherwell and Celtic at Fir Park on December 30, 2025 in Motherwell, Scotland. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

The Emergence In Scottish Football

While he made no appearance last season, the Danish chief promoted him as the ‘number 1′. The keeper took no time to prove his worth, as he has so far secured 20 clean sheets in 38 appearances across competitions. With 17 of them in the Premiership, Ward is now leading the fray for the golden gloves ahead of Hearts’ Alexander Schwolow (14).

4th-placed Motherwell hold the second-best defensive record, conceding only one more goal than the Jambos after 33 gameweeks, and the Englishman has contributed significantly with a high save percentage (75.8%) and goals prevented (8.8), earning him a spot in the Premiership Team of the Year 2025-26.

Why Celtic Are Chasing Ward

Celtic will undergo a transition in the summer, as they are set for a squad overhaul under Martin O’Neill’s successor. The last line of defence also needs attention, particularly after Kasper Schmeichel’s shoulder injury. The veteran Dane has potentially played his last game for the Hoops, and Viljami Sinisalo, his understudy since the previous campaign, is finally enjoying a run of games in goal.

The champions of Scotland have relied on experienced names who slotted in as immediate starters in the recent past. Schmeichel was a like-for-like replacement for Joe Hart, but the Celts might change their strategy by snapping up the Motherwell shot-stopper. Ward and Sinisalo would push each other for the first-team spot, as there won’t be any definite ‘number 1’ until the new manager assesses his options.