Balikwisha completes Celtic medical ahead of £5m move

After months of speculation, apparent setbacks, and uncertainty, Michel-Ange Balikwisha has completed his medical and is set to sign on the dotted line, joining the Hoops from Royal Antwerp in a reported £5m deal. That’s according to SkySports via the usually reliable Anthony Joseph:

‘Balikwisha completes Celtic medical ahead of £5m move. Latest from Sky Sports News’ Rob Dorsett and Anthony Joseph: Royal Antwerp winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha has completed a medical in London ahead of his £5m move to Celtic. It’s understood the 24-year-old is due to finalise the paperwork on a long-term contract when he arrives in Glasgow.’

The 24-year-old winger underwent his medical in London, and having passed with no issues, is expected to finalise a long-term contract when he arrives in Glasgow.

For Celtic fans, this transfer marks the end of a long pursuit

For Celtic fans, this transfer marks the end of a long pursuit. The club had tried to bring Balikwisha in last year, only for an untimely injury to derail the move. Injury concerns have followed the player, which made this medical such an important step, but with that box now ticked, it finally looks like Celtic will get their man.

Celtic’s need for attacking reinforcements has been glaringly obvious. With Kyogo departing in January, Nicolas Kühn leaving earlier this window for Como, and Jota sidelined long-term after April surgery, the Hoops have been left crying out for creativity, goals, and width in attack. That lack of depth and quality was exposed again in Tuesday night’s Champions League play-off defeat, a painful reminder of the club’s recurring ‘fail to prepare, prepare to fail’ transfer window frustrations.

Balikwisha is the type of player who can inject life back into Celtic’s forward line

Balikwisha, however, is the type of player who can inject life back into Celtic’s forward line. Quick, skilful, and direct, he has the ability to beat his man, create chances, and crucially chip in with goals. He arrives with the experience of playing at a high level – having represented Antwerp in Europe and lifted silverware in Belgium – and at 24, he is entering what should be the prime years of his career.

While the disappointment of another Champions League exit still stings, the arrival of Balikwisha offers a glimmer of hope and much-needed positivity. Celtic supporters have grown frustrated with the lack of urgency in the transfer market, but this signing shows ambition and addresses a problem area that has been glaring for too many months.

There will, of course, be questions over his fitness and ability to stay injury-free, but the fact he has come through the medical without issue is reassuring. Now, the hope is he can hit the ground running in Glasgow and make an immediate impact, especially with a Glasgow Derby looming this weekend. Whether he’s ready to feature or not, and it must be tempting to get him on the bench at least,his arrival will likely also give his new teammates a lift.

Balikwisha won’t solve all of Celtic’s problems on his own, but he represents a big step in the right direction. After a summer that has seen more frustration than progress, the Belgian winger is exactly the type of signing the fans have been crying out for proven quality, experience on the European stage, and the flair to change games in the final third.

Celtic needed a boost – and in Michel-Ange Balikwisha, we may just have found it

Celtic needed a boost – and in Michel-Ange Balikwisha, we may just have found it. Now it’s up to him to show why the club chased him for over a year and to deliver the attacking spark that has been missing from this Celtic side.

At last, some good news.