Celtic have officially announced the signing of Belgian winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha from Royal Antwerp on a five-year contract. The deal is reportedly worth up to £5 million. Balikwisha becomes Brendan Rodgers' eighth signing of the summer transfer window.
The 24-year-old is capable of playing on either wing, adding versatility to Celtic's attacking options. Rodgers expressed his delight at the signing, stating that Balikwisha is a "really talented, exciting player" with a good level of experience. He also noted that Balikwisha loves to attack and will provide the team with great options.
Balikwisha himself conveyed his excitement about joining Celtic and his desire to achieve great success with the club. Subject to international clearance, he could potentially make his debut in the upcoming Old Firm derby against Rangers.
Balikwisha has been capped by Belgium at the Under-21 level. He has spent the last four years at Antwerp, where he won the Jupiler Pro League title in 2023.
This signing comes shortly after Celtic's disappointment in missing out on Champions League qualification. Balikwisha's arrival is expected to bolster the team's attacking prowess as they aim to defend their Scottish Premiership title and compete in the Europa League.