Celtic have moved to sign Champions League striker Camilo Duran, with the 24‑year‑old flying into Glasgow for his medical this week. The deal, worth up to £6 million, would make him the club’s first summer acquisition and could boost a side currently sitting 3rd in the Premiership, 67 pts from 33 games (21W‑4D‑8L) and riding a 5‑game winning run (WWWWW).

Who is Camilo Duran?

Duran burst onto the scene at Lusitania in Portugal’s fifth tier, netting 19 goals in 21 matches in 2022 and helping the club clinch promotion. A brief spell at Estrela da Amadora followed before he returned to Lusitania, where he added another 31 goals in 39 games and earned a move to Primeira Liga side Portimonense in 2024. His time in Portugal’s top flight was modest – five goals in 28 appearances – and he switched to Azerbaijan’s Qarabag in 2025. There, Duran scored 15 times and supplied 10 assists in 48 matches, including five Champions League goals as Qarabag reached the knockout‑playoff round.

Why does Duran matter for Celtic?

Statistically, Duran was a standout in the 2025‑26 Champions League, averaging 0.60 goals per game, a 0.41 xG, 2.38 shots and a top speed of 33.7 km/h according to Fotmob on 7 July. Those numbers suggest a player who can stretch defences and finish chances – exactly what Celtic need after a season that saw them concede 35 goals while scoring 59 (‑24 goal difference). Manager Brendan Rodgers has praised the striker’s work‑rate, and former Celtic forward Chris Sutton called him “excellent”. If Duran replicates his Azerbaijani form, he could help Celtic close the three‑point gap to leaders Heart of Midlothian and push for a deeper run in next season’s Champions League.

How will the signing be completed?

Sources say Qarabag have accepted Celtic’s bid, and Duran has already agreed personal terms. The final step is the medical, scheduled for later this week at Celtic Park’s training facilities. Should all go smoothly, the contract will be signed shortly after, and Duran will be registered before the summer transfer window closes. The club’s hierarchy is keen to have the striker available for pre‑season, especially after a 3‑1 victory over Dunfermline on 23 May 2026, which highlighted the need for a reliable goal‑scorer.

What does this mean for the title race?

With Celtic currently 3rd in the Premiership, 67 points from 33 games, the addition of a proven European striker could be the catalyst to overturn the deficit to Hearts. The team’s recent form – five straight wins – shows momentum, but a dip in goal output has left them vulnerable. Duran’s arrival may restore firepower, giving Rodgers more options up front and forcing rivals to adjust defensively. If the medical confirms his fitness, Celtic could see a shift in the league dynamics as the season heads into its decisive phase.