Celtic have signed Mika Baur, a midfielder who has learned his trade in the German lower leagues against ‘big guys, many in fights’. The 22-year-old joins Celtic Park with a big stage experience, having helped Paderborn secure promotion to the Bundesliga last season.

What happened?

Baur was sitting having lunch with his girlfriend Emma when his phone began lighting up with notifications. Although not necessarily unusual, the fact this activity was caused by news of his own transfer seems exceptional. Online transfer guru Fabrizio Romano had broken the news on X and Instagram, with 28.8 million followers.

Why it matters for Celtic

The arrival of Baur is timely given the departure of Belgian midfielder Arne Engels to West Ham United and the imminence of next week's Celtic’s Champions League play-off against Austrian side LASK. Former Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn has told his compatriot all about European nights at Parkhead.

What comes next?

Baur is line to make his debut at Dundee United in the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup this weekend. He is hopeful about catching the eye of new Germany manager Jurgen Klopp and making his name with Celtic. Coach Mark Fotheringham, who can speak German following his playing and coaching stints in Germany, has taken him under his wing.

Celtic are currently 3 points behind leaders Heart Of Midlothian in the title race, with 59 goals scored and 35 conceded this season. They are on a 5-game winning run, with their last result being a 3-1 win over Heart Of Midlothian on 16 May 2026. League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 3rd in Premiership, 67 pts, 21W-4D-8L from 33 games, recent form WWWWW.

Baur has been toughened up by his experience in the German lower tiers. “I was 17 when I had my first experience in the third division,” he explained. “I'm not quite sure, maybe over 80 or 90 matches. “It's a really tough league too. Big guys, many in fights. It's part of the game and helps you to develop in terms of the physical side." "I think it was good for me to play there," he added. "It really was the first step, then the second division, and now the big stage!”

He joined Paderborn two years earlier from SC Freiburg, Motherwell’s next opponents in the Conference League play-offs, and from where he was also sent on loan to Dynamo Dresden in 3.Liga. Now 22, he is ready to make the great leap forward for his career and hopes to sample Champions League nights as soon as this Autumn. “I've never experienced something like that before,” he said. His family includes his dog Kal, who will join him and his girlfriend in Glasgow as soon as they secure a permanent house.

Recent form

Celtic are on a 5-game winning run, with their last result being a 3-1 win over Heart Of Midlothian on 16 May 2026. League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 3rd in Premiership, 67 pts, 21W-4D-8L from 33 games, recent form WWWWW. Goals this season: 59 scored, 35 conceded (+24 goal difference).