Arne Engels, born 8 September 2003 in Belgium, is a 22-year-old midfielder who currently dons the number 27 jersey for Celtic, primarily serving as a central player in the midfield. Standing 6ft (1.84m) tall and weighing 11st 2lb (71kg), he has also represented the Belgium U21 national team in his promising career to date.
According to Transfermarkt, his current market value hovers around an impressive £16m.
Engels began his professional trajectory as a trainee at Club NXT in Belgium's Challenger Pro League in July 2015. In January 2023, he was transferred from Club NXT to Augsburg in the famed Bundesliga in Germany, for a fee approximating £100k.
He made 18 first team league appearances for Augsburg in his debut season of 2022-2023. Engels' contributions ramped up in the 2023-2024 season, featuring in 32 first team matches and netting three goals for the German side. However, in the following season, Engels' involvement dipped, with one first team appearance on record for 2024-2025.
In August 2024, Engels made the significant step in his career, transferring from Augsburg to Celtic for a substantial fee of around £11m. He made a significant impact in his maiden season 2024-2025 at Celtic, clocking 34 first team appearances and impressing the Celtic supporters by scoring nine goals.
In the current 2025-2026 season, Engels continues to be a mainstay in the first team, having already made 25 appearances and slotting away four goals. Outside of the domestic league, Engels has notched up diverse experiences. In the League Cup 2025-2026 for Celtic, he demonstrated his strength with three starts, in addition to one appearance as a substitute. He also took part in the chaotic hustle of Champions League Qualifiers 2025-2026 with two appearances as a substitute.
Engels' versatility was further proven in the Europa League 2025-2026 for Celtic, where he netted one goal during his six starts and two appearances as a substitute. All in all, Engels stands as a valued and resourceful player in Celtic's current arsenal.
