Chelsea agree contract with star until 2031 as they make decision over Celtic transfer
Celtic have secured the loan signing of defender from the West London side
Chelsea player Shumaira Mheuka has signed a new contract at Stamford Bridge until 2031 ahead of his season-long loan move to Celtic.
The 18-year old striker caught the eye of the Hoops after an impressive season for the Chelsea Under-21 squad, scoring 18 goals in 19 games last season. On what is more or less Celtic’s transfer deadline day given the European squad submission time constraints, the England Under-19 international has signed on loan and is ‘buzzing’ to get started.
Manager Martin O’Neill looks forward to working with the 6’ 0” striker - who is one three loan signings made in the latter stages of the window alongside Parma midfielder Oliver Sorenson and Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone. A short term switch for fellow Chelsea man Landon Emenalo is expected to be announced imminently.
Mheuka signs new Chelsea deal ahead of Hoops switch
A statement from the Blues read: “Shumaira Mheuka has signed a new contract with Chelsea through to 2031 and joined Scottish champions Celtic on loan for the 2026/27 campaign. The striker joined Chelsea aged 13 and now has nine senior appearances for the Blues since his debut in a UEFA Conference League win at Astana in December 2024. Mheuka will now spend the current campaign gaining further senior experience with Celtic, who have made a strong start to their Scottish Premiership title defence, winning each of their first three league games. All at Chelsea wish Shim luck in Scotland and look forward to monitoring his continued progress at Celtic Park.”
Hoops boss O’Neill believes that his new played must have great potential, with the European powerhouse so keen to secure his future. On Mheuka’s arrival, he said: “Shim has great quality, hence Chelsea extending his contract, however I think this period of his career, spent with us, will be beneficial to him and obviously to us. I look forward to working with him, he is a player who I think can give us another great attacking dimension and I’m sure he will make an important contribution to Celtic.”
Mheuka ‘buzzing’ to get started at Celtic Park
After finalising his loan deal, Mheuka told the CelticPlayer: “It's amazing. Walking in, I could feel the echo and the surround sound of the stadium. You almost feel the history as you walk in. It's a real feeling. I wish everyone could feel it, an amazing feeling and I'm so, so happy to be here.
“This is something that I've been doing since I was a little kid. And to be able to do it in front of the Celts, the fans and show my ability in front of them, it's something that I can't wait to do. It's almost a feeling of excitement rather than nerves. I can't wait to score at Celtic Park. You know, I'll be chasing that feeling every game, every chance that I get. I’m over the moon, buzzing to be here. I'm eager, if you can't tell, so yeah, I'm ready. Let's go.”
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