Celtic’s New Signing: Unleashing the Potential of Odin Thiago Holm

Sport Football Scottish Premiership HOLM RUN

Odin Thiago Holm joins Celtic as Norwegian wonderkid completes Parkhead move

By David Robson – Published : 15:58, 22 Jun 2023 – Updated : 16:53, 22 Jun 2023

CELTIC have confirmed the signing of Norwegian wonderkid Odin Thiago Holm from Valerenga. The 20-year-old moves to the Hoops on a five-year-deal after completing his medical in London yesterday.

Odin Thiago Holm, the 20-year-old Norwegian central-midfielder, joins Celtic from Eliteserien club Valerenga and becomes Brendan Rodgers’ first signing of the new campaign.

Rodgers said: “We are delighted to bring Odin to the club and to secure his signing so early in the window. He is a player who has been in the club’s scouting and recruitment system for some time.

“I have looked at him closely and believe he is someone who can make a big impact at the club. I have spent time already with Odin, he is an ambitious, exciting young player and I know he is delighted to be joining us.

“He is a great addition to the quality squad we already have and we really look forward to working with him.”

A Norwegian youth international, Holm arrives at Parkhead with a lot of promise having played almost 100 senior games despite his tender age. He was regarded as Valerenga’s “midfield jewel,” according to outlets in Norway ahead of his transfer to Celtic and he was previously courted by Premier League big guns Man Utd and Liverpool as well as Italian giants Juventus.

Holm had a trial with Liverpool before turning down offers from Manchester United and Juventus. He was highly sought after and even had FC Copenhagen on his tail with reports suggesting the Norwegian club rejected a £2.2 million bid from the Danish side in January.

But with the midfielder entering the final 12 months of his deal at Valerenga, they have opted to sell their prized asset and it’s Celtic who have won the race for his signature. He featured in every match for the struggling Eliteserien side this season before opting for the move to Scotland.

In 2020 he was named in The Guardian’s list of 60 best young talents in world football alongside Bayern Munich prodigy Jamal Musiala, Bayer Leverkusen sensation Florian Wirtz, and then-PSG wonderkid Xavi Simons.

He changed his name in 2017, aged 14, to add in Thiago as his middle name in tribute to his football idol, Spain midfielder Thiago Alcantara.

The 20-year-old is a center-mid who has been likened to both Callum McGregor and Matt O’Riley, but it’s understood that the player will be brought in to develop his game with Celtic eyeing him for the future.

He becomes the latest Norwegian player to sign for Celtic, following in the footsteps of Kristoffer Ajer, Harald Brattbakk, Stefan Johansen, Mohamed Elyounoussi, Thomas Rogne among others.

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page.