Sunderland Secure Stunning Transfer “Hijack”: Jocelin Ta Bi Heads to Wearside
In a dramatic turn of events that has sent shockwaves through both the Scottish Premiership and the Premier League, Sunderland AFC have successfully hijacked Celtic’s deal to sign Ivorian sensation Jocelin Ta Bi.
The 20-year-old attacker, who had been on the verge of a move to Glasgow for weeks, is now set to join Regis Le Bris’ side in a deal worth approximately £3.5 million. Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano confirmed the news this morning with his signature “Here We Go,” signaling the end of one of the most contentious transfer sagas of the January 2026 window.
The Breakdown: From Parkhead to the Stadium of Light
For much of early January, Ta Bi’s move to Celtic seemed a formality. The winger, currently on loan at Hapoel Petah Tikva from Maccabi Netanya, had even conducted interviews expressing that joining the Hoops was a “dream come true.”
However, the deal began to unravel earlier this week due to a combination of factors:
- Medical Concerns: Reports emerged that a medical examination flagged a potential ankle ligament issue requiring surgery.
- Political Pressure: The deal faced significant backlash from sections of the Celtic support and activist groups regarding the ethics of doing business with an Israeli club.
- Financial Intervention: Sunderland capitalized on the hesitation, offering a £3.5 million package—surpassing Celtic’s £2.5 million valuation—and providing the player with a more lucrative five-year contract in the Premier League.
Who is Jocelin Ta Bi?
Ta Bi is a left-footed right winger known for his explosive pace and technical dribbling. During his loan spell in Israel this season, he recorded two goals and two assists in 12 appearances, but it is his “underlying metrics”—specifically his successful take-on rate and progressive carries—that caught the eye of Sunderland’s recruitment team.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 20 (Born Feb 9, 2005) |
| Nationality | Ivory Coast |
| Primary Position | Right Winger |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Contract Length | 5 Years (until 2031) |
Impact on the Clubs
For Sunderland:
The Black Cats are currently 10th in the Premier League, enjoying a stellar return to the top flight. The addition of Ta Bi fits their “youth-first” recruitment model, placing him alongside other rising stars like Chris Rigg and Habib Diarra. Under Regis Le Bris, Sunderland have become a haven for young talent looking to prove themselves on the world’s biggest stage.
For Celtic:
This represents a frustrating setback for manager Martin O’Neill. Having already missed out on a return for Kyogo Furuhashi, Celtic are now pivoting toward other targets. Names like Callum Wilson (West Ham) and Marko Kovacevic (Celje) are reportedly on the shortlist as they look to bolster their attack for the title run-in.