Arne Engels, born on 8 September 2003 (age 23), is a Belgian central midfielder who first came to Celtic from Augsburg in August 2024 for around £11m. It was a serious fee by Scottish standards, but he gave Celtic immediate end product as well as a steady presence in the middle of the pitch.
His 2024–25 league season was his most productive, with nine goals in 34 appearances. During his Celtic spell he won two Premiership titles, in 2024–25 and 2025–26, and the 2024–25 League Cup. Celtic also finished as Scottish Cup runners-up in that period.
In August 2026, Celtic sold Engels to West Ham United for around £22m. His time in England formed part of a slightly unusual career loop, with a West Ham spell coming before he established himself more fully again at Celtic.
He remains part of the current Celtic side, with a market value of around £17m according to Transfermarkt. His career has already moved through Augsburg, Celtic, West Ham United and back to Celtic, with enough medals and transfer movement to suggest a player still being shaped as much as settled.
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