Celtic have paved the way for the signing of Adam Idah after officially announcing the exit of South Korean striker Hyeongyu Oh to Belgian side Genk. The transfer, finalized for a fee of £4.5 million, comes less than two years after Oh’s arrival at Parkhead.
Oh joined Celtic during the January 2023 transfer window under then-manager Ange Postecoglou, costing the club a reported £2.5 million. In his time with the Bhoys, he made 47 appearances and netted 12 goals.
However, his departure to Belgium is hardly surprising given his limited impact under Brendan Rodgers. Oh made just three starts and had not featured in the starting lineup since December.
The move to Genk has been well-documented, with sources such as The Scottish Daily Mail and The Scottish Sun reporting the £4.5 million fee. This figure represents a tidy £2 million profit for Celtic, which they must now reinvest wisely, particularly in strengthening their attack.
Negotiations between Celtic and Norwich City for Adam Idah continue, with Football Scotland reporting ongoing discussions following a rejected bid. Norwich are holding out for a significantly higher fee than the £4 million plus add-ons already offered by Celtic, and an official second bid is yet to be lodged.
Idah, who effectively replaced Oh within the Celtic squad last season, is a highly sought-after target. Many fans are hopeful that Oh’s exit will accelerate Celtic’s pursuit of the Irish striker, who they see as a crucial addition to the squad.
The urgency for a new striker is mounting, with Kyogo Furuhashi currently the only recognized central attacker at the club. The departure of Rocco Vata to Watford has further depleted Celtic’s attacking options. While Daizen Maeda can play through the middle, he is generally more effective as a pressing winger.
With the competitive season just weeks away and a trip to the United States on the horizon, Celtic’s squad appears underprepared. The club must act swiftly to bolster their ranks and ensure they are ready for the challenges ahead.
Head of Football at Genk, Dimitri de Conde, expressed excitement about their new signing.
“Hyeon-gyu is a striker with a nose for goals who is not afraid to make dirty meters,” he said. “He is a quick player who, thanks to his stature, also offers a strong presence in the box.”
Oh himself is eager for his new chapter, stating on Genk’s official website:
“KRC Genk is a team that has a lot of experience in training young players. When the interest became concrete, my choice was immediately clear. I can’t wait to show myself.”
Oh’s tenure at Celtic may not have panned out as hoped, but his transfer to Genk provides him with a fresh start. For Celtic, the focus now shifts to securing a quality striker to fill the void and strengthen their squad for the upcoming season.