Deadline Day Dash: Celtic Secure Junior Adamu as Martin O’Neill Targets Title Charge
GLASGOW — In the high-pressure environment of a Scottish Premiership title race that has slipped from their grasp, Celtic FC have made a decisive move to reclaim their domestic throne. As the 7:00 PM transfer deadline looms, the “Hoops” are finalizing a deal that could redefine their season. According to Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, SC Freiburg striker Junior Adamu is currently in Glasgow to finalize a loan move to Parkhead—a signing intended to provide the offensive spark missing from Celtic’s stuttering campaign.
The Arrival of Junior Adamu
The 24-year-old Austrian international has been a primary target for manager Martin O’Neill, who has been vocal about the need for “physical presence and clinical efficiency” in the final third. After days of negotiations, a verbal agreement was reached with the Bundesliga side over the weekend. Adamu reportedly received the “green light” yesterday and traveled immediately to the United Kingdom to undergo a medical and finalize the terms of his temporary switch.
Adamu’s arrival is seen as a tactical necessity. Despite Celtic’s historical dominance, the current squad has struggled for goals in tight matches—a deficiency highlighted by their heartbreaking loss in the Scottish League Cup final to St Mirren last December. Adamu, known for his relentless pressing and intelligent movement, offers a different profile to the existing striking options at O’Neill’s disposal.
[Table: Celtic’s Winter Window Arrivals — February 2, 2026]
With Adamu’s deal effectively “over the line,” he becomes the third high-profile loan arrival of a window defined by temporary European recruitment.
| Player | Position | Parent Club | Status |
| Julian Araujo | Defender | Bournemouth | Joined Jan 15 |
| Tomas Cvancara | Striker | Borussia Monchengladbach | Joined Jan 21 |
| Junior Adamu | Forward | SC Freiburg | Finalizing Medical |
| Joel Mvuka | Winger | FC Lorient | Advanced Talks |
The Norwegian Connection: Joel Mvuka Negotiations
The recruitment drive is not expected to end with Adamu. Celtic are reportedly in “advanced talks” with Ligue 2 outfit Lorient to secure the signature of Norwegian forward Joel Mvuka. Should O’Neill successfully navigate the complexities of this deal before the evening cutoff, it would represent a significant double-coup for the club’s makeshift recruitment department.
Mvuka’s pace and ability to beat defenders in one-on-one situations are viewed as the perfect complement to the more central, robust styles of Adamu and Cvancara. If both attackers are successfully integrated, O’Neill will have a vastly different—and arguably more potent—arsenal for the final 14 league matches of the season.
Navigating a Season of Instability
The 2025/26 campaign has been an uncharacteristic rollercoaster for the Parkhead faithful. Celtic have cycled through two permanent managers and an interim appointment already this term, a lack of continuity that has visibly affected on-field performances. This instability has seen them fall six points behind league leaders Hearts after 24 games.
For a club that has claimed nine of the last ten league titles, the prospect of a trophyless season is unthinkable. The board’s decision to back Martin O’Neill with three (and potentially four) Bundesliga and Ligue 1-level recruits is a clear signal that they are not prepared to surrender the Premiership trophy without a fight.
The “Hearts” Factor: A Title Race on the Brink
The pressure on Celtic is intensified by the remarkable form of Hearts. The Edinburgh side has maintained a consistent lead at the summit, benefiting from the chaos in Glasgow. However, O’Neill is a manager who thrives on the “chase,” and he reportedly believes that a successful Deadline Day will “pip” the leaders to the title.
The math is simple: with 14 games remaining, including pivotal head-to-head fixtures, a revamped Celtic attack could bridge the six-point gap. The addition of Adamu and potentially Mvuka provides the depth needed to rotate during the grueling final sprint, ensuring that the “Hoops” can maintain the high-intensity pressure that is their trademark.
Conclusion: A High-Stakes Finale
As the minutes tick away, the focus remains on the paperwork. Junior Adamu is expected to be officially unveiled within the hour, while the Mvuka deal hangs in the balance. For Martin O’Neill, ending the window on a high note isn’t just about personnel; it’s about shifting the momentum of a season that has felt “derailed” for too long. If these signings hit the ground running, the quest for “ten out of eleven” remains very much alive.