Celtic sign Junior Adamu on loan – Freiburg forward heads to Glasgow with intent to impress

“I’m hungry for goals” 

Celtic have completed the signing of Freiburg foward Junior Adamu on loan for the remainder of the season, with an option to make the move permanent. The Austrian international is the Glasgow club’s third loan signing of the month, following the arrival of defender Julián Araujo from Bournemouth and fellow Bundesliga striker Tomas Cvancara from Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Upon the anouncement, Freiburg’s sporting director Klemens Hartenbach explained why the 24-year-old talent had decided to make the move to the Scottish Premiership: “Junior has always put himself at the service of the team, but his playing time has recently been unsatisfactory for him and for us – we hope that the loan to Celtic will bring a new dynamic.”

Adamu has only played eleven minutes in the last ten Bundesliga matches. In the Europa League, however, he played regularly and was in the starting line-up in seven of eight games. Since his transfer from Red Bull Salzburg in the summer of 2023, he has played 67 games (7 goals, 4 assists) – his market value has since fallen from €8 million to €5 million.

“We are really pleased to welcome Junior to Celtic,” said Celtic manager Martin O’Neill. “He has experience of high level football, firstly with RB Salzburg and of course in the German Bundesliga for the past few seasons. He has also been involved in European competition, so we are bringing in a talented, experienced, international forward to really enhance our attacking options.”

Adamu: “I’m dangerous in the penalty area and hungry for goals”

Speaking for his first time as a Celtic player, Adamu said: “I can’t wait to get started. I want to give my best for this club and try to win the title and the cup, score lots of goals and help the team. I also want to improve as a player. I spoke to the manager and he motivated me a lot. I trust him, he has given me that confidence, he has explained how the system works and I feel that the connection between us is very strong.”

However, Adamu will have to be at his best to get game time in Glasgow, with competition from Johnny Kenny, Kelechi Iheanacho and Gladbach loanee Cvancara in Celtic’s attack. “I’m dangerous in the box and hungry for goals. That’s what the manager sees in me, and that’s what I want to show on the pitch. I can’t wait to be in the stadium. I’ve seen lots of videos and it looks fantastic. I can’t wait to get started,” said the Swiss player.