Celtic secure Mika Baur in £6.8m deal ahead of Champions League play-off

Celtic have completed the signing of German under-21 midfielder Mika Baur from Paderborn on an initial four-year contract, with an option for a further year. The 22-year-old joins for a total fee of approximately £6.8m, structured as an initial £4.5m payment with £2.3m in potential add-ons.

According to Sky Sports News, a significant portion of the bonus structure is contingent on Celtic reaching the league phase of the Champions League. This financial arrangement mirrors the deals struck for fellow summer signings Camilo Duran, Kasper Hogh, and Haissem Hassan, underscoring the club’s strategic focus on European qualification.

The acquisition marks Celtic’s fourth signing of the summer window. Baur arrives with a strong track record from his time in Germany, having helped Paderborn secure promotion from the 2. Bundesliga to the Bundesliga last season. During that campaign, he scored four goals and provided five assists in 33 league appearances, earning the club’s player of the year award.

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill highlighted Baur’s technical ability and versatility, noting the midfielder’s appetite for the challenges ahead. O’Neill acknowledged the difficulty of securing the player, as Paderborn were keen to retain him, but expressed satisfaction with the club’s perseverance in finalising the transfer.

Baur, who came through the youth ranks at Freiburg before moving to Paderborn in 2024, cited advice from agency colleague Nicolas Kuhn as a key factor in his decision. He stated that Kuhn’s positive encouragement influenced his choice to join the Scottish champions.

With Celtic facing LASK Linz in a crucial Champions League play-off tie next week, there is potential for Baur to be registered for the squad in time for the fixture. The midfielder indicated he is in good physical condition following a demanding pre-season, ready to contribute to the team’s European ambitions.