Celtic have secured Colombian forward Camilo Duran for an estimated £5.5 million, adding a versatile attacker to a squad that currently sits third in the Premiership with 67 points from 33 games (21W‑4D‑8L) and a recent 3‑1 win over Dunfermline on 23 May 2026.

Who is Camilo Duran?

Duran is a 24‑year‑old who spent his early senior years in Portugal’s second tier before a loan spell at Flamengo in Brazil. Former Independiente Medellín coach Sebastian Botero described him as a "hot‑headed, mischievous kid who liked to fight with everyone" but noted that a football academy reshaped his attitude. An injury curtailed a permanent move to Flamengo, prompting a 2022 switch to Azerbaijan’s Qarabağ, where he scored 15 league goals and added ten assists in 45 appearances.

What does his style bring to Celtic?

Primarily a left‑footed centre‑forward, Duran has also featured on the right wing, left wing and even deeper midfield roles – 38 games up front, 25 on the right, nine on the left, according to Transfermarkt. That flexibility mirrors the way Celtic have used Daizen Maeda in recent seasons, rotating between a traditional No 9 and a more fluid front line. Duran’s hold‑up play, praised by former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill during the transfer reveal, should give manager Brendan Rodgers another option to link midfield and attack.

How might Duran fit into the title race?

Celtic sit just three points behind leaders Heart of Midlothian, with a goal difference of +24 (59 scored, 35 conceded). The club is on a five‑game winning run (WWWWW) and looking to maintain momentum ahead of the final league push. Duran’s proven knack for scoring in high‑pressure European fixtures – he netted against Benfica, Eintracht Frankfurt and Ajax in the Champions League – suggests he can thrive when the stakes are high. Botero believes pressure fuels him: "If logic says everything is against him, he does everything in his power to turn the situation in his favour."

What are the expectations for his first season?

Celtic fans will expect Duran to contribute immediately, aiming for double‑digit goals and several assists as he adapts to Scottish football. His five‑game winning streak with Qarabağ shows he can hit the ground running, and his reputation as a "bit of a rebel" may endear him to a supporters' base that appreciates grit. If he replicates his 25 goal contributions from a single season, Celtic could see a noticeable boost in their attacking output as they chase the title.

Celtic’s new signing arrives at a pivotal moment, with the club perched just outside the top spot and eager to convert recent form into silverware. Duran’s blend of power, pace and positional versatility could be the missing piece that turns a strong campaign into a championship‑winning one.