Key Points
- Celtic FC signed 27-year-old Swiss international right-back Jordan Lotomba from Feyenoord.
- The former Young Boys and Nice defender won three Swiss Super League titles and played in the Champions League and Europa League.
- The move provides cover at right-back after Alistair Johnston suffered an injury.
- Some Celtic fans expressed early doubts on social media after reading critical posts from Feyenoord supporters.
- Manager Martin O’Neill welcomed the transfer, calling Lotomba a quick, strong, and adaptable player who can cover both sides of the pitch.
Celtic FC (Glasgow Express) September 4, 2026 — Celtic Football Club has officially completed the signing of 27-year-old Swiss international right-back Jordan Lotomba from Dutch top-flight side Feyenoord on a season-long deal, bolstering manager Martin O’Neill’s defensive setup ahead of a demanding domestic and European campaign. The move arrives during a busy transfer window at Celtic Park, directly addressing a depth issue created by a recent injury sustained by regular starter Alistair Johnston. Despite Lotomba holding eight international caps for Switzerland and a pedigree that includes three consecutive Swiss Super League titles with Young Boys alongside four seasons in Ligue 1 with OGC Nice, a section of the Celtic fanbase expressed early reservations online. These doubts stemmed primarily from critical social media posts by Feyenoord supporters following his spell in Rotterdam, prompting calls from football analysts for supporters to grant the versatile defender a clean slate in Scottish football.
What is the background behind Jordan Lotomba’s transfer to Celtic?
As reported by The Celtic Star, the announcement of Jordan Lotomba as one of several late deadline arrivals at Celtic Park
“hasn’t been warmly received by a section of the Celtic support.”
However, the reporter highlights that premature skepticism overlooks a player with proven experience across major European competitions.
Before arriving in Scotland, Lotomba established his credentials in his native Switzerland with Lausanne-Sport and Young Boys, winning three successive league championships during his time in Bern. His domestic performances earned him a £7 million transfer to French Ligue 1 side OGC Nice, where he completed a four-year spell before moving to Dutch giants Feyenoord. Across his spells in France and the Netherlands, the right-back logged extensive appearances in both the UEFA Champions League and Europa League group stages.
Addressing the online reaction from the Feyenoord fanbase, The Celtic Star noted that a small volume of negative posts on social media should not dictate a player’s prospective impact, drawing parallels to previous online discourse surrounding current Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate. As written by The Celtic Star,
“Sure, the Dutch fans will have seen more of him than any of us, but he’s starting at Celtic with a clean slate, and deserves to be given a chance before any of us can even consider judging him.”
What did Celtic manager Martin O’Neill say about the signing?
The primary driver behind the deal is Celtic manager Martin O’Neill, who sought immediate defensive reinforcements to manage squad rotation while Canadian international Alistair Johnston remains sidelined with an injury.
As reported by the official Celtic Football Club media team, Celtic Manager Martin O’Neill expressed strong approval regarding the acquisition, stating:
“I’m really pleased to bring Jordan to Celtic. He is a quick, strong and experienced player. He is adaptable, can play on both sides of the pitch and he is very comfortable on the ball, so I think we are bringing another quality player to the club.”
Speaking directly to CelticPlayer media, as reported by Michael Shearer of Celts Are Here, Lotomba shared his own thoughts on joining the Scottish champions, reflecting on his prior experience playing at Celtic Park in European competition:
“It was a really intense game and I was very happy to be involved in it. Unfortunately, I was on the losing side, but you could see that it was a really big occasion. I already knew a little about Scottish supporters. I could really feel the passion of the Celtic fans that night, and that’s something I like.”
Lotomba further elaborated on his ambitions in Glasgow, stating:
“I know Celtic have the same mentality and are always competing to win titles and finish first. I think we share that same winning mentality, and that’s something I really like. My ambitions are to be at the top of the league, win as many matches as possible, and win trophies, because I’m a very competitive person.”
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What is the context and recent background of this development?
The acquisition of Jordan Lotomba marks Celtic’s tenth arrival during a highly active summer transfer window. The club has invested significantly in first-team squad construction, completing permanent deals for players such as strikers Kasper Høgh and Camilo Durán, alongside midfield options Mika Baur and Joel van den Berg. To complement these permanent acquisitions, Martin O’Neill’s recruitment team utilized loan market agreements, securing goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, midfielder Oliver Sørensen, and youth prospects from Chelsea alongside Lotomba.
The sudden requirement for coverage at right-back emerged after Alistair Johnston suffered an injury, leaving teenage full-back Colby Donovan and Scottish international Anthony Ralston as the primary active options in squad selection. According to official club records published by Feyenoord, Lotomba recorded 41 appearances, one goal, and five assists during his tenure in Rotterdam, entering the final year of his contract prior to completing his move to Glasgow.
How will this transfer affect Celtic FC and its supporters?
The arrival of Jordan Lotomba directly affects the short-term structural stability of Celtic’s defensive unit across multiple competitions. For manager Martin O’Neill, the inclusion of an experienced, multi-positional full-back relieves immediate tactical pressure, reducing the reliance on teenage deputy Colby Donovan during a heavy fixture period.
For the Celtic supporters, Lotomba’s performances over the coming weeks will determine whether the initial skepticism expressed on social media platforms was unjustified. Should the Swiss international adapt swiftly to the physicality of the Scottish Premiership and deliver consistent performances in European fixtures, his presence will offer crucial depth, maintain tactical balance during Alistair Johnston’s recovery period, and provide competitive friction across the backline throughout the 2026/27 season
