Celtic announce signing of reported £10m star as website crashes after major transfer confirmation

 

Celtic supporters have been handed another major reason for excitement after the club officially announced the arrival of a highly anticipated new signing, bringing an end to weeks of speculation surrounding one of Martin O’Neill’s most closely followed transfer targets.

The announcement came at a particularly important moment for the Scottish champions, with the club continuing to strengthen its squad ahead of a season in which domestic success and European ambitions will both be major priorities.

The scale of the reaction was immediately noticeable. Celtic’s official website published the announcement on Wednesday, with supporters rushing online to find out more about the latest addition to O’Neill’s squad. The club’s website subsequently appeared to experience heavy traffic, with supporters reporting difficulties accessing the announcement and related pages.

That reaction illustrates just how much anticipation had built around the transfer.

Celtic had been linked with the player for some time, while reports from Spain had indicated that the deal was progressing towards completion. Spanish outlet Cadena SER reported that the transfer had been agreed for an initial fee of more than €6.5 million, potentially rising by around €3.5 million through variables. (Cadena SER)

Other reports had placed the overall value of the move in the region of £9m-£10m, making it a significant investment for Celtic.

And now, there is no longer any uncertainty.

Celtic finally make it official

The club confirmed that the new arrival has signed a four-year contract with the option of a further year, subject to international clearance.

Celtic described the player as an Egyptian international winger and confirmed that he will wear the number 23 shirt.

The announcement represents another statement of intent from O’Neill and the Celtic hierarchy.

Rather than simply adding another squad player, Celtic have moved for a footballer with experience in several European leagues and a growing international reputation.

The club’s official announcement confirms that he has joined from Real Oviedo after developing his career through Spanish football. (Celtic FC)

For supporters who have followed the transfer story from the beginning, the confirmation is the moment they have been waiting for.

The mystery surrounding the identity of the player can now finally be put to bed.

The new Celtic signing is Haissem Hassan.

Who is Haissem Hassan?

Hassan is a 24-year-old winger born in France who has represented Egypt at senior international level.

His professional career began at Châteauroux before he moved to Spain and joined Villarreal in 2020. He subsequently gained valuable experience during spells with Mirandés and Sporting Gijón before making the move to Real Oviedo.

That route is important because Hassan has not arrived at Celtic as a player with only one level of experience.

He has played in different environments and has had to adapt to different tactical demands throughout his career.

His time at Oviedo was particularly important.

After joining the Spanish club in 2024, Hassan became an important part of the side and played a role during their promotion campaign. He then gained experience in the Spanish top flight, giving him an opportunity to test himself against some of the best teams and defenders in European football.

That experience is one of the qualities Celtic appear to value.

O’Neill wants players who can make an immediate contribution, particularly with the demands of European football increasing.

O’Neill makes his feelings clear

The Celtic manager was quick to praise the club’s latest acquisition.

O’Neill said Celtic had done particularly well to secure the player despite competition from other clubs.

That point is significant.

Celtic have been working to strengthen their attacking options, and Hassan was clearly viewed as a player capable of adding something different to the squad.

The manager also highlighted his ability and experience in both domestic and international football.

That is exactly what Celtic need as they attempt to build a squad capable of competing across multiple competitions.

O’Neill also believes supporters will enjoy the energy and attacking intent Hassan can bring to matches.

For a club whose supporters expect attacking football, that description will immediately catch the attention of the Celtic faithful.

Hassan sends a message to Celtic supporters

The player himself was equally enthusiastic about the move.

Hassan described joining Celtic as a great moment and a real honour, while praising the club’s history and supporters.

He also revealed that once he learned Celtic were interested in signing him, he wanted to make the move happen.

That is an important detail.

Transfer negotiations are not always simply about which club offers the most money. A player’s desire to join can have a major influence on how quickly a deal progresses.

In Hassan’s case, his comments suggest he was genuinely attracted by the opportunity to play for Celtic.

He also spoke about meeting his new teammates and facing the challenges ahead, while making it clear that he wants to play a part in delivering success to the supporters.

That message will undoubtedly be welcomed at Celtic Park.

Why Celtic wanted him

The attraction is obvious when looking at the type of player Hassan has developed into.

He is a winger capable of operating in attacking areas and bringing directness to the game.

Celtic already have attacking options, but the demands of the modern game mean that squad depth is essential.

A club competing for the Scottish Premiership title cannot rely on the same attacking players every three or four days.

European fixtures create another problem.

Travel, injuries, suspensions and fixture congestion can quickly expose weaknesses in a squad.

That is why Celtic have been working to add quality rather than simply numbers.

Hassan gives O’Neill another option and potentially another player capable of stretching opposition defences.

His experience in Spain should also help him adapt to different tactical situations.

The World Cup factor

Hassan’s international emergence has also contributed to the excitement surrounding his arrival.

Having been born in France, he represented France at youth level before choosing to represent Egypt at senior level.

His recent international exposure has helped raise his profile and introduced him to a much wider audience.

For Celtic, signing an international player with European experience represents another opportunity to bring quality into the squad.

It could also prove beneficial for Hassan’s own development.

Playing regularly for a major club in Scotland while competing in European competition could provide him with a platform to establish himself further at international level.

The website reaction tells its own story

One of the most interesting aspects of the announcement was the immediate reaction online.

Celtic supporters had been waiting for confirmation, and once the club published the news, attention quickly shifted towards the official website and social media channels.

Reports from supporters suggested that the Celtic website became difficult to access amid the surge of interest.

It would be difficult to establish that the transfer announcement itself caused any technical issue without an official statement from the club, so the website reaction should be treated cautiously.

But the sheer number of supporters attempting to access the news demonstrated the level of interest.

That is exactly what clubs want when announcing a major signing.

The transfer had been discussed for days, but until the official announcement there was always the possibility that something could go wrong.

Now Celtic have removed that uncertainty.

A significant investment

While Celtic have not disclosed the transfer fee in their official announcement, reports have suggested that the total package could approach the £10 million mark depending on add-ons.

Spanish reports put the agreement at more than €6.5 million initially, with approximately €3.5 million in potential variables. (Cadena SER)

That would make the move a substantial investment.

It also creates expectations.

Celtic supporters will naturally want to see Hassan justify the money spent on him.

However, the club will not expect him to transform the team overnight.

There will be an adaptation period.

He must learn O’Neill’s tactical requirements, build relationships with his teammates and become accustomed to Scottish football.

The biggest challenge could be the physical nature and intensity of the Scottish Premiership.

But his previous experience in Spain should give him a strong foundation.

What happens next?

The next stage is integration.

Hassan will need to train with his new teammates and understand exactly what O’Neill wants from him.

The manager will also have to decide how best to use him.

Whether he starts immediately or gradually becomes part of the first-team setup, there is now another attacking weapon available to Celtic.

And that could become particularly important when European fixtures arrive.

The club’s supporters will also be watching his first appearance closely.

There will be enormous attention on his first touch, his first sprint down the wing, his first attempt on goal and, ultimately, his first Celtic goal.

Those moments can quickly establish a player’s relationship with supporters.

Celtic’s transfer strategy is becoming clearer

The arrival of Hassan also provides another indication of the direction Celtic are taking under O’Neill.

The club are not simply looking for familiar names.

They are looking for players with upside, experience and the ability to contribute at a high level.

Hassan fits that profile.

He has played in France and Spain, has experience of promotion battles and top-flight football, and has now reached the international stage with Egypt.

At 24, he is also at an age where Celtic can potentially benefit from his best years.

That could make the transfer valuable beyond the immediate season.

If Hassan settles quickly, performs consistently and develops further, Celtic could have a player capable of becoming an important part of their long-term plans.

Final thoughts

Celtic supporters have waited patiently for the club to officially confirm one of their most anticipated summer moves.

Now the waiting is over.

The Scottish champions have completed the signing of Haissem Hassan, the 24-year-old Egyptian international winger arriving from Real Oviedo on a four-year deal with an option for another year, subject to international clearance. (Celtic FC)

He will wear the number 23 shirt and becomes the latest addition to Martin O’Neill’s squad.

His arrival represents more than another name on the transfer list.

It gives O’Neill another attacking option, adds international experience to the squad and demonstrates Celtic’s willingness to invest significantly in strengthening the team.

The reported £10 million scale of the deal also shows that expectations will be high.

But Hassan appears to understand those expectations.

He has already spoken about the honour of joining Celtic, praised the club’s history and supporters, and expressed his desire to contribute to success.

Now the words have to become performances.

The Celtic website may have struggled under the weight of supporter interest, but the real test begins on the pitch.

And Celtic fans will not have to wait long before discovering whether their latest major investment can become the attacking difference-maker O’Neill believes he can be.