Key Points
- Celtic have agreed a club-record deal worth about £11m plus add-ons for Bodo/Glimt striker Kasper Hogh.
- The 25-year-old Denmark international has already completed a medical and is expected to be announced soon.
- Former Celtic defender and Norway international Vidar Riseth said the fee could have been much higher.
- Riseth described Hogh as a striker who has shown Champions League level quality and said he scores regularly in league and European football.
- Hogh is set to become Celtic’s second summer signing and is expected to strengthen the attack after Daizen Maeda’s departure.
Celtic FC (Glasgow Express) July 28, 2026 – Celtic have been told they may have secured a major bargain in their move for Kasper Hogh, with former Hoops defender Vidar Riseth saying the striker could have cost as much as £16m to £20m.
Why is Celtic’s Kasper Hogh move being called a bargain?
As reported by Vidar Riseth of Record Sport, Hogh’s switch to Celtic has been described as value for money because the Norway international believes the forward is capable of much more than the agreed fee suggests.
Riseth said Hogh has proved himself at a “highest level” and argued that the striker’s Champions League pedigree, regular scoring record and strong interest from clubs in several countries pushed his value far beyond the reported £11m package.
The story has developed as Celtic move to complete the signing after the player’s medical, with several outlets reporting that the deal is now close to being finalised.
For Celtic, the fee may still represent a club record, but the assessment from Riseth is that the market price for a player with Hogh’s profile could have been significantly higher.
What have reports said about Hogh’s form?
Hogh’s numbers are one reason the transfer has drawn attention, with reports saying he has scored seven times in the early stages of the Norwegian top-flight season.
He has also built a record in the Champions League, which has added to the sense that Celtic are signing a forward ready for European football rather than only domestic competition.
Reports have repeatedly linked the deal to Celtic’s need for a new attacking leader, especially after Daizen Maeda’s move away from the club.
That makes Hogh’s arrival part of a wider squad rebuild rather than a standalone signing.
What did Vidar Riseth say?
According to the coverage quoting Vidar Riseth, Hogh “has been showing now for many years that he is Champions League level” and has been the main man for Bodo/Glimt.
Riseth also said Hogh can operate in different systems, including 4-4-2 and 4-3-3, which suggests tactical flexibility may have been one reason Celtic targeted him.
He added that the player scores “in almost every game” and believed his transfer value could have been much higher if Celtic had not moved quickly.
Riseth’s view is important because it comes from someone who knows both Celtic and Norwegian football well.
How does the deal fit Celtic’s transfer window?
Celtic’s agreement for Hogh has been reported as a club-record transfer, topping the previous fee paid for Arne Engels.
The move follows the exit of Daizen Maeda, which left a gap in the forward line and increased the urgency around recruitment.
Reports also say Celtic are shaping a new-look frontline, with Camilo Duran arriving as another attacking addition.
That means Hogh is being viewed not just as a replacement, but as a central piece in the next phase of Martin O’Neill’s squad planning.
Why does the fee matter?
The reported £11m plus add-ons is significant because it shows Celtic are prepared to break their transfer record for a player they believe can make an immediate impact.
At the same time, the bargain argument reflects how highly Hogh is rated in Scandinavia and among those who have watched him closely.
If he delivers goals in Scotland and Europe, Celtic could see the move as strong business even at a record level.
If he settles slowly, the size of the fee will draw more attention, which is why the expectations around the deal are already high.
Background of the development
Celtic’s pursuit of Hogh has been building for months, with reports earlier in the year saying the club had shown interest while other teams were also monitoring him.
By late July, reports said an agreement had been reached and the striker had travelled to complete the medical process.
The move comes after a busy period in Celtic’s forward planning, including Maeda’s exit and the arrival of other attacking reinforcements.
That context explains why Hogh’s signing has been treated as one of the major transfer developments of Celtic’s summer.
Prediction: How could this affect Celtic fans?
For Celtic supporters, the move could raise expectations that the club will have a more physical, proven and European-tested striker leading the line.
If Hogh adapts quickly, his signing may be seen as a statement that Celtic can still attract high-end talent despite paying a record fee.
If he struggles early, discussion around the transfer price may dominate fan debate, especially because the fee is already being described as a bargain by some and a record outlay by others.
Either way, the transfer is likely to shape how supporters judge Celtic’s ambitions for the season ahead.
