Nigerian Forward Joins Celtic, Links Up With Iheanacho

Nigerian Forward Joins Celtic, Links Up With Iheanacho

By BSN Sports 

Scottish Premiership champions Celtic have confirmed the signing of forward Junior Adamu on loan from Bundesliga side SC Freiburg, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The 24-year-old joins the Glasgow club on a temporary deal that will run until the end of the 2025–26 season, as he looks to secure more regular first-team football. Celtic announced the move in a statement published on the club’s official website.

Born in Kano, Nigeria, Adamu is ineligible to represent the Super Eagles after making a cap-tying appearance for Austria in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Israel in November 2021.

Primarily a centre-forward, Adamu will bolster Celtic’s attacking options and compete for places alongside Nigeria international Kelechi Iheanacho. Iheanacho recently returned to action after recovering from a hamstring injury that kept him sidelined for over six weeks and has featured as a substitute in his last two appearances for the Hoops.

Adamu joined Freiburg from Austrian giants RB Salzburg in the summer of 2023. During his time in Germany, he has made 67 competitive appearances across all competitions, scoring seven goals and providing four assists. This season, he has featured nine times in the Bundesliga and made a further nine appearances in cup competitions.

The loan move represents a fresh opportunity for Adamu to gain increased playing time during the latter stages of the season, while adding depth and versatility to Celtic’s squad as they continue their domestic campaign.

Despite representing Austria at international level, Adamu has maintained ties with Nigeria. Last summer, he visited the training pitch at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, where he showed support for grassroots football initiatives.

Celtic’s confirmation of the deal brings together two players of Nigerian heritage in their attacking ranks, with Adamu joining Iheanacho at Parkhead for the remainder of the campaign.