Celtic have officially confirmed the signing of striker Camilo Duran, marking the club’s initial new addition of the summer transfer window. The 24-year-old joins the Glasgow giants from Azerbaijani side Qarabag in a deal reported to be worth approximately £6m, committing his future to Parkhead on a five-year contract. Duran’s arrival represents a significant statement as the Hoops prepare for the upcoming season, with their Scottish Premiership title defence scheduled to kick off at home against Dundee on August 3, a match set to be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Standout European Form Secures Move
Camilo Duran rapidly emerged as a priority target for Celtic following an impressive and standout season with Qarabag. Throughout his tenure at the Azerbaijani club, the striker consistently showcased his abilities, making a notable impact both domestically within their league and on the grand stage of the Champions League. Duran had initially moved to Qarabag from the Portuguese side Portimonense, where he first began to make a name for himself.
His goal-scoring prowess was evident last season, as he successfully netted a total of 15 goals across all competitions. Crucially for Celtic’s European aspirations, five of those goals were registered in Europe’s elite club competition, highlighting his capability to perform at the highest level. This impressive scoring record in the Champions League played a key role in attracting the interest of the Scottish champions.
This transfer makes Duran Martin O’Neill’s first brand new addition to the Celtic squad during this summer period. Separately, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has also secured a one-year deal, extending his stay at Parkhead after having spent the latter half of the previous season with the club. Duran’s signing is positioned as a pivotal early move for Celtic, as they strategically build their squad for the challenges of both domestic and European football in the forthcoming campaign.
A Dream Realised and Goals Promised
Upon finalising his transition to Glasgow, Camilo Duran openly conveyed his profound happiness and ambition for his new chapter. “I’m very happy, it’s a dream come true to sign for a big club like Celtic, the biggest in Scotland, and I’m just excited to get going and score lots of goals,” he declared. The Colombian striker further elaborated on his immediate reaction to Celtic’s interest, stating, “When I first heard of the interest there was absolutely no doubt in my mind and I’m just excited to get playing with the boys.” His previous experiences in top-tier European club football appear to have only intensified his drive.
Duran specifically reflected on his performances in the continent’s premier club competition, adding: “It was a dream come true playing in the Champions League.” He continued to articulate a clear personal ambition for his time at Celtic, saying, “That’s what you dream of as a kid, so to score goals was amazing and that’s what I want to continue doing here, scoring goals in the Champions League.” He also offered a direct assurance to the Celtic faithful regarding his commitment and work ethic on the pitch. “I give it my all in every game, with a lot of effort and dedication, and hopefully the goals will come,” he affirmed.
Moreover, the 24-year-old expressed a deep sense of honour regarding his unique position within the club’s history. “It’s an honour to be the first Colombian to play for Celtic,” Duran proudly stated. He also shared a long-held personal aspiration related to his national team, remarking: “It’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid (to play for my country) and I hope that being here at Celtic and working well, then one day that will become true.” Duran also ensured he communicated his enthusiasm directly to the manager. “I’ve told the manager how happy I am to be here and that I will hopefully repay him with my performances,” he noted. He concluded his initial comments by reiterating his pride and expectations for success: “It’s a real honour to wear this jersey and I hope that this year we’ll be champions.”
Chris Sutton on Squad Overhaul Needs
Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has weighed in on the club’s transfer requirements, suggesting that Celtic might need to commit a substantial sum, potentially more than £50m, to overhaul their squad this summer. Sutton indicated that such a significant investment would be essential for the Hoops to not only successfully retain their Scottish Premiership title but also to mount a competitive challenge in the Champions League. He acknowledged the commendable work carried out by manager Martin O’Neill during the previous season, particularly given the circumstances.
“Martin worked wonders last season. I didn’t see Celtic winning the title from the position which he was put in on a couple of occasions,” Sutton shared during an appearance on Sky Sports News. He provided further detail on the team’s performance leading to their title win, stating: “I mean, the run towards the end of the season was extraordinary but I still think you can’t get away from the fact there needs to be a lot of change at Celtic in terms of recruitment.” Sutton also drew attention to critical fixtures awaiting the club.
He underscored the importance of upcoming European commitments, remarking: “They’ve got the Champions League qualifier which is really important and, however exciting it was for Celtic fans to end up getting over the line last season, you can’t get away from the fact that Celtic struggled at times throughout the season.” Based on these observations, Sutton concluded that “Martin will be looking to, I’m sure, bring players in.” Furthermore, Sutton offered his predictions concerning potential departures from the Parkhead squad. “It’ll be interesting to see who goes out from Celtic. It looks like Reo Hatate will go,” he observed, hinting at further changes on the horizon for the club’s roster.
As Celtic steps up its preparations for the forthcoming campaign, with the Scottish Premiership title defence commencing live on Sky Sports at home to Dundee on August 3, Camilo Duran’s arrival signifies the beginning of their summer recruitment drive. The primary focus for the club now shifts to how effectively the Colombian striker integrates into the existing squad and contributes significantly to Celtic’s ambitions, both domestically in Scotland and on the European stage, throughout the eagerly anticipated season ahead.