Niko Sigur ‘agrees’ Celtic transfer but deal for Hadjuk Split star faces one major stipulation
The midfielder is an international teammate of Hoops star Alistair Johnston
16:04, 07 Jan 2026
Honduras’ Luis Palma and Canada’s Niko Sigur vie for the ball(Image: AP)
Celtic have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Hadjuk Split star Niko Sugr but are said to have put the transfer on hold following Wilfried Nancy’s sacking.
The Frenchman was relieved of his duties following a disastrous stint in which he lost six of his eight matches at the helm, with Martin O’Neill now once again placed in caretaker charge for the remainder of the season while the club plan their next move. Prior to his departure, Nancy was able to get one signing over the line with the arrival of full back Julian Araujo on loan from Bournemouth.
And reports in Croatia say he was close to snapping up Canada international Sugr before getting the boot. The 22-year-old defensive midfielder – who can also play at right back – has also been linked with Wolves in the Premier League. But Croatian outlet 24Sata claim that it is the Hoops who have struck an agreement with Split to bring him to Glasgow.
Sugr spent time in the youth academies in his homeland with Vancouver Whitecaps and Vaughan Azzuri before joining Split back in 2022. He was called-up as a stand-by to the senior Croatia squad for Euro 2024 before changing his international allegiances to Canada, who he has won 15 caps for alongside Celts favourite Alistair Johnston.
It’s claimed while the deal remains in the balance amid the change in management, Celtic’s close relationship with the player’s agents SA33 have helped the two respective parties agree terms.
Former Parkhead duo Liel Abada and Matt O’Riley are both represented by the same company and played their part in banking the champions £10million and £25m from their sales to Charlotte FC and Brighton in 2024. On Tuesday, interim boss O’Neill made it no secret that he believes reinforcements in the winter window are essential.
He said: “Of course if you could sign all the players that you’d want to have, it would be great, and it doesn’t work like that. I generally work within the parameters of the club, but I’d be hoping that now we’re in a bit of difficulty, we have to fight back, and I would say the same to the board.
Martin O’Neill speaks to the media during a press conference (Image: SNS Group)
“I think we’re all aware, and so are the fans, that we do, the squad needs strengthening, if we can do. We’re going all out to try and do that.
“I would be hoping for it, but if the board were to listen to me, then we would have about 56 players, so I will try and narrow it down. I think you’d be aware, of what positions we need to strengthen in, and that’s what we’re going to try and do.
“It’s a difficult window, and in terms of buying players, things like this here, that’ll be difficult, but we do need, we do need to supplement the squad, absolutely no question about that.”
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