Celtic Chase Keeper Dinko Horkas in Glasgow, 2026

Key Points

• Scottish Premiership champions Celtic are reportedly investigating a move for UD Las Palmas goalkeeper Dinko Horkaš. Celtic news now
• The 27-year-old Croatian shot-stopper is being assessed as a potential replacement for Kasper Schmeichel following the veteran’s recent retirement from professional football. Glasgow Times
• Celtic face significant continental competition for the player, with Spanish club Sevilla and Greek giants Olympiacos also credited with an interest. Glasgow Times
• Las Palmas President Miguel Ángel Ramírez has publicly demanded that all interested suitors approach the club through formal channels to initiate proper transfer negotiations. Celtic news now
• Horkaš recently completed a full campaign in Spain, accumulating 43 appearances in the 2025–26 season for the Segunda División side. Flashscore.com

Celtic FC (Glasgow Express) July 1, 2026 –In an emerging development within the summer transfer window, Scottish Premiership holders Celtic have registered an interest in acquiring Croatian goalkeeper Dinko Horkaš from Spanish outfit UD Las Palmas. The Glasgow club is currently tasked with finding a successor for the former Danish international goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, whose recent decision to retire has left a vacancy in the starting line-up at Celtic Park. Reports originating from Spain indicate that the Hoops are not isolated in their pursuit, as prominent European clubs Sevilla and Olympiacos are also actively monitoring the situation of the 27-year-old goalkeeper.

Is Celtic Planning a Summer Move for Dinko Horkaš?

According to a report published by the editorial staff at Celts Are Here on July 1, 2026, Celtic have formally joined the competitive race to sign the Las Palmas goalkeeper.

The Scottish champions require an experienced and reliable figure between the posts to anchor their upcoming domestic title defence and impending UEFA Champions League campaign.

As reported by the media tracking team at Celts Are Here, UD Las Palmas President Miguel Ángel Ramírez addressed the growing speculation surrounding his player, stating that

“any club interested in Dinko Horkas must speak to the Spanish side properly.”

The president’s public pronouncement indicates that while the club recognizes the mounting interest from external parties, no definitive agreements have been reached, and formal protocols must be strictly adhered to by any prospective buyer.

What Are the Details of the Competition Faced by Celtic?

The pursuit of Horkaš is complicated by the caliber of alternative suitors currently weighing up offers. Media outlets in Spain have confirmed that La Liga constants Sevilla and Greek Super League heavyweights Olympiacos have both identified the Croatian as a viable addition to their respective squads.

As reported by sports analysts across the Spanish football press, Sevilla views Horkaš as a cost-effective opportunity to strengthen their defensive department, while Olympiacos is prepared to offer competitive financial packages to lure the keeper to Athens.

Celtic’s primary advantage remains the guaranteed progression to elite European club football, a factor that could heavily influence the player’s personal preferences.

What is the Current Contractual and Performance Status of Dinko Horkaš?

Data retrieved from international football registries confirms that Horkaš remains under a stable long-term contract with Las Palmas, which is currently set to run until June 30, 2028.

This contractual buffer gives the Spanish club substantial leverage in ongoing negotiations, allowing President Ramírez to dictate terms and demand full market valuation.

Statistical records from the recently concluded 2025–26 campaign demonstrate that Horkaš was a foundational element for Las Palmas, logging 3,818 minutes on the pitch across 43 competitive appearances in LaLiga 2.

His physical durability and consistent performances throughout the grueling league schedule have directly contributed to his elevated status on the European scouting radar.

Background of the Goalkeeping Situation at Celtic Park

The sudden necessity for a marquee goalkeeper at Celtic stems directly from the vacancy left by Kasper Schmeichel.

The veteran Danish international arrived in Glasgow to provide short-term elite stability, executing his duties with distinction before choosing to bring his decorated professional career to a formal close at the end of the previous season.

Prior to Schmeichel’s tenure, Celtic experienced a period of transition following the departure of former England international Joe Hart.

The club’s recruitment strategy under manager Brendan Rodgers has consistently favored goalkeepers who possess a mixture of commanding physical presence and composure when playing out from the back. Horkaš, who stands at 1.89 metres and graduated from the renowned Dinamo Zagreb youth academy, fits the profile of a modern, technically grounded goalkeeper.

His career path has taken him through various loan spells at Zrinjski Mostar, Varaždin, and Posušje, before a successful two-year stint at Bulgarian club Lokomotiv Plovdiv paved the way for his move to Spain in June 2024.

Prediction: How Will This Transfer Development Affect the Celtic Squad and Supporters?

Should Celtic successfully navigate the multi-club race to secure Horkaš’s signature, the acquisition will directly affect the stability of the first-team squad and provide clarity to a concerned fan base.

For the players, the immediate integration of an established number-one goalkeeper will alleviate the defensive anxiety that often accompanies a major summer transition, allowing the backline to build chemistry during crucial pre-season training blocks.

For the Celtic supporters, securing a prime-age goalkeeper ahead of continental rivals like Sevilla and Olympiacos would serve as a strong statement of intent from the boardroom.

Conversely, if Celtic fails to meet the formal negotiation standards demanded by President Ramírez, the club risks entering the qualification and opening phases of the domestic season with an unresolved hierarchy in goal.

This outcome could compel the recruitment department to pursue secondary targets under compressed timeframes, potentially inflating transfer costs and disrupting the club’s early-season momentum.