Celtic have strengthened their midfield options by completing a loan deal for Parma's Oliver Sorensen, with the Scottish champions indicating further signings could follow before this week's deadlines.
The 24-year-old Danish midfielder joins Glasgow for the remainder of the season, with the option included for Celtic to make the move permanent. Sorensen only arrived at Parma in August 2025 following five years at Danish club Midtjylland, and his switch to Scotland is designed in part to compensate for the departure of Arne Engels, who was sold to West Ham United.
Assistant manager Shaun Maloney confirmed ahead of Wednesday's Scottish Premiership fixture against Aberdeen that the club were pushing to finalise as many as four incoming deals before the Europa League squad registration deadline on Wednesday night, with the domestic transfer window closing on Thursday at 17:00 BST.
Maloney explained that Sorensen's arrival was linked directly to the qualities Celtic lost when Engels departed. "There's certain things that Arne brought that we need to replace and the quicker we do that, it gives us just that extra dimension, extra speed, extra power within that midfield because I think technically we've got some brilliant players. I think we just need that slightly different profile, which we need in certain games," he said.
Beyond the midfield reinforcement, Celtic are also reportedly working on a left-back addition to provide competition for Scotland international Kieran Tierney. Maloney was keen to stress the importance of strengthening that position given the demands of a shortened summer for players who featured at the World Cup. "Kieran's started the season really well. You never quite sure how this season's going to go with all the World Cup guys because of such a short break. We need that back-up in that position. We need somebody to keep challenging KT," he said, adding that finding "the right profile of player" in that role remained a priority.
Celtic have already brought in four first-team players this transfer window and continue to be linked with Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Sam Johnstone and PSV Eindhoven midfielder Joel van den Berg. Maloney also addressed speculation surrounding a potential loan move for 18-year-old Chelsea forward Shim Mheuka, though he was cautious about confirming any such deal. "It's pretty difficult to talk about... nothing's confirmed with anyone," he said, adding that any forward signing would either be completed "in the next 24, 48 hours, or we'll just go as we are."
There is also uncertainty over the future of Japan international Reo Hatate, who Maloney acknowledged could depart before the window closes. Hatate has been a key contributor since joining in January 2022, scoring 33 goals in 191 appearances and winning multiple domestic titles with the club. Maloney was full of praise for the midfielder regardless of what happens next. "He's a brilliant player. What he's done at the club has been really, really good. He's won many titles here. If he does move on then he'll remember how good a player he was for this club," he said.
With the European squad deadline looming, Maloney reiterated that the priority now was ensuring any new arrivals could be registered in time to feature in continental competition. "All the guys that we'd be looking to try and bring in, with that European deadline we want to try and get them in the squad if we can," he said. "We'll be looking to strengthen that squad, particularly European squad for that deadline. Some really key positions in the squad, you're looking at three or four and, if there's anymore than that, that'll be really, the thinking of the club will be for the future."
Based on reporting from BBC Sport Football.