Full Breakdown
Camilo Duran Set for Celtic Transfer After Standout Season in Azerbaijan
7/8/2026, 2:11:35 PM
Transfer Details and Immediate Status
Celtic Football Club have reached an agreement with FK Qarabag to sign Colombian forward Camilo Duran. The deal is reported to be in excess of £5 million, with one source specifying £5.5 million. Duran is travelling to Glasgow to complete the remaining formalities and will undergo a medical examination before being registered. The transfer makes him Celtic’s first addition of the 2026 summer window and is timed to ensure his eligibility for the club’s upcoming Champions League play-off matches.
Background: Duran’s Rise from Portugal to the Champions League
Duran joined Qarabag after a brief spell at Portuguese side Portimonense, which he left having been signed for £200,000. In less than a year he became a regular starter, scoring five goals in ten Champions League appearances and a total of 15 goals across all competitions in the 2025-26 season. His European strikes came against Newcastle United, Eintracht Frankfurt, Benfica and Ajax, raising his profile among clubs monitoring the transfer market.
Key Figures and Stakeholders
- Camilo Duran – 22-year-old (see conflicting reports) left-footed striker.
- Martin O’Neill – Celtic manager, who confirmed the medical and the club’s intent to secure the player.
- FK Qarabag – Azerbaijani Premier League runners-up, sellers of Duran.
- Portimonense SC – Portuguese club that transferred Duran to Qarabag last summer.
- Stephen McGowan – Journalist (TCW) who reported on the agreement.
Data & Statistics
- Goals this season: 15 in all competitions; 5 in Champions League.
- Transfer fee: Reported as “in excess of £5 million” and specifically £5.5 million; original fee undisclosed.
- Profit for Qarabag: Approximately £5.3 million based on the £200,000 purchase price.
- Champions League opponents scored against: Newcastle United, Eintracht Frankfurt, Benfica, Ajax.
Official Statements & Club Responses
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill told Celtic TV that Duran is currently undergoing a medical examination and will be ready for selection shortly. The club’s officials confirmed that negotiations concluded with a “significant profit” for Qarabag, allowing the Azerbaijani side to proceed with its Europa League qualifying campaign while still finalising the transfer.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Age: The BBC source describes Duran as 24 years old, while Celticshorts lists him as 22.
- Transfer fee: One report cites an “undisclosed fee,” another states “in excess of £5 million,” and a third specifies £5.5 million.
- Exact timing of the medical: No precise date is given beyond “as we speak” from O’Neill’s interview.
Why It Matters for Celtic and Qarabag
For Celtic, securing Duran provides a proven European scorer ahead of a crucial Champions League play-off, potentially strengthening the squad’s attacking options. For Qarabag, the sale delivers a sizable financial windfall that can support squad development and offset the loss of a key forward before their Europa League qualifiers.
Timeline of Relevant Moves
- Summer 2025: Qarabag acquire Duran from Portimonense for £200,000.
- 2025-26 season: Duran records 15 goals, including five in Champions League fixtures.
- Early July 2026: Celtic confirm agreement; Duran travels to Glasgow for medical.
- Mid-July 2026: Expected completion of transfer ahead of Celtic’s Champions League play-off.
Verbatim Quotes
> “We've got the young lad Duran - he is doing a medical as we speak.” — Martin O’Neill, Celtic manager.
