Celtic have gained a repuration over the last decade of signing players for relatively small transfer fees and turning them into prized assets, with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Moussa Dembele and Kristoffer Ajer all making a name for themselves at Parkhead.
The trio represent that shrewd recruitment policy the Hoops scouting department have in place, but the club have still hard to dish some serious money to attract a number of players from across the globe to Glasgow’s East End.
Not all of those big-money signings have proved success stories but a host of players signed by Celtic for significant fees have moved on to bigger and better things. While transfer fees across the world have increased hugely since the turn of the century, supporters can still afford to look back on the list of top-class players to have represented the Hoops.
Here, GlasgowWorld takes a look at 20 of Celtic’s most expensive signings and where they are now.
5. Neil Lennon - €8.63m
Season: 2000/01 - Signed from Leicester City, the tough-tackling defensive midfielder is still a hero in the eyes of most supporters. Brought a winning mentality to Martin O’Neill’s Treble-winning side. Often involved in a bit of controversy, the Northern Irishman has managed the club over two spells, while also taking charge of Bolton, Hibernian and Cypriot side Omonia Nicosia. Currently searching for a route back into management after a spell out of work. | Getty Images
6. Christopher Jullien - €8m
Season: 2019/20 - Signed from Toulouse, the towering central defender proved an expensive purchase and after a tricky start, he proved to be a competent and strong player who loved to get stuck in. A real threat at set-pieced but sustained a long-term injury at the beginning of the Ange Postecoglou era and that was the end of his time in Glasgow. Fell out of favour under the Australian and was allowed to return to France with Montpellier. | Getty Images
7. Jota - €7.5m
Season: 2022/23 - Signed from Benfica after initially impressing on loan, the Portuguese winger is currently one of Scottish football’s most exciting players. Never fails to get fans off their seats with his pace and trickery, and is destined to play at the highest level in the future. | Getty Images
8. Jozo Simunovic - €7.5m
Season: 2015/16 - Signed from Dinamo Zagreb, the centre-back played a leading role in one of the most trophy-laden eras in the club’s history. A regular starter under Brendan Rodgers and Neil Lennon, he won every major honour in Scotland. Later admitted he never wanted to leave Celtic and is currently looking for a new club after focusing on his sports management course at university and his coaching badges. | Getty Images