Rain of money for Augsburg: Celtic makes Engels a record transfer

Farewell to Augsburg after one and a half years: Arne Engels.
IMAGO/IPA Photo

Arne Engels has decided on a new challenge in the final stages of the summer transfer window – and the Champions League. As both clubs announced on deadline day, the 20-year-old midfielder moved from FC Augsburg to Scottish champions Celtic Glasgow. “He has a wide range of qualities that allow him to play in various positions in midfield, so we believe he is an excellent addition to the club,” said Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.

The financial conditions are tough for both sides. Celtic has made Engels the new record transfer with a transfer fee of up to 13 million euros. And FCA, who signed the Belgian from Club Brugge’s youth academy in January 2023 for just 100,000 euros, managed to increase the value of the player’s assets remarkably. According to information from kicker, the base transfer fee is eleven million euros, and around two more can be added via easily achievable bonuses. In addition, Augsburg have secured a 20 percent share of the resale.

One of the best transfers in recent club history

Engels, who has signed a four-year contract with Celtic, will go down as one of the best transfers in the club’s recent history. When Engels was signed, FCA spoke of a “highly talented midfielder” who should first be introduced to the Bundesliga.

But the youngster didn’t need any time to get going. In his first six months in the Bundesliga, he played in 18 of the 19 games and followed this up with a whopping 32 games in 2023/24, even though he was substituted on 19 times. Now he is leaving Germany with a total of 51 Bundesliga appearances, three goals, nine assists and a kicker average rating of 3.67.

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Celtic, who this week made a Scottish record sum of around 30 million euros with Matt O’Riley’s transfer to Brighton & Hove Albion, can also look forward to an upcoming international player. Belgium’s national coach Domenico Tedesco called up Engels for the upcoming Nations League matches.