Celtic transfers: Junior Adamu, Benjamin Arthur and Joel Mvuka join on loan amid Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain interest as Arne Engels bids rejected
Celtic have signed striker Junior Adamu on loan from SC Freiburg and winger Joel Mvuka from Lorient, with an option to buy included in both deals; defender Benjamin Arthur also joins on loan from Brentford; watch Aberdeen vs Celtic on Wednesday from 7pm, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 8pm
Tuesday 3 February 2026 00:45, UK
Celtic have signed striker Junior Adamu, winger Joel Mvuka and defender Benjamin Arthur on loan on Deadline Day.
Austrian international Adamu was the first arrival on the final day of the window, arriving from Bundesliga side SC Freiburg, with an option to make the move permanent in the summer.
He started his senior career at Liefering in Austria, before moves to RB Salzburg, St. Gallen and Freiburg, where he has scored seven goals in 67 games in all competitions.
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The 24-year-old, who has been capped nine times by Austria but has yet to score for his country, told Celtic TV: "I'm very excited to be here and I can't wait to get started. I want to give my best for this club and try and win the title, also the cup, and to score a lot of goals and help the team, and I also want to improve as a player.
"I've spoken with the manager and he's given me good motivation, and I trust him, he's given me that trust, he's told me how the system is and I feel the connection is really strong.
"I'm dangerous in the box and hungry for goals. That's what the manager sees in me and I want to show that on the pitch."
Arthur 'honoured' by 'exciting move'
Celtic then confirmed the arrival of Benjamin Arthur on loan from Brentford until the end of the season.
The 20-year-old central defender made his first-team debut for the Premier League side earlier this season, playing his part in a third-round League Cup victory over Aston Villa.
Arthur, who has played for England at youth levels, added: "I am really honoured and happy to be joining Celtic. It is one of the world's biggest clubs, so it's a really exciting move for me.
"I know we have a quality squad with guys who have won so much already, and I can't wait to join them and hopefully play my part in bringing more success to the club and to our fans.
"We have a lot of challenges ahead and I am ready for them and ready to do all I can to help the club achieve all it can."
Mvuka joins despite medical issue
Celtic also added winger Joel Mvuka on a loan deal from Lorient.
The Norwegian - who arrives until the end of the season - became the club's fifth and final arrival during the January transfer window.
There is an option to buy the 22-year-old, who was set to join on a permanent deal before issues with his medical put the move in doubt.
Mvuka told Celtic TV: "It feels really good to finally be here. The thing that sits in my mind from playing at Celtic Park was before the game when the fans were singing You'll Never Walk Alone, and I thought 'Wow!'
"I was a team-mate of Sebastian Tounekti's at Bodø/Glimt and I know him very well so I can't wait to finally see him again.
"I'm a fast winger, I can play left or right, and I'm good with the ball, and I can't wait to get started."
Could Oxlade-Chamberlain follow?
Celtic are also interested in former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
There is no rush for any deal to be sorted as he is a free agent.
Oxlade-Chamberlain is currently training with Arsenal and Mikel Arteta refused to rule out signing him.
With Arsenal's growing list of injuries, Oxlade-Chamberlain's experience could be a welcome addition
Celtic reject third bid for Engels
Meanwhile, Celtic rejected Nottingham Forest's third bid for midfielder Arne Engels worth up to £25m.
The Premier League club wanted to pay a guaranteed fee of £20m for Engels with £5m in add-ons.
Celtic mulled over the bid for their club-record signing but ultimately turned down the offer. They had previously rebuffed Forest's first two bids for the 22-year-old, with the previous offer of £17.3m.
Celtic have had no plans to sell Engel in this window and on Sunday boss Martin O'Neill said he hoped the club would reject any offers.
Engels was signed from Augsburg for £11m in August 2024 and has two-and-a-half years left on his contract with Celtic.
There were three outgoings from Celtic Park on Deadline Day as Stephen Welsh returned to Motherwell on loan, goalkeeper Tobi Oluwayemi moved to Leyton Orient on a permanent deal and Johnny Kenny signed for Bolton Wanderers on loan until the end of the season.
