Belgian-born Arne Engels, born on 8 September 2003 (age 22), currently plies his trade as a central midfielder for Celtic Football Club. Standing at 6ft (1.84m) and tipping the scales at 11st 2lb (71kg), Engels commands respect in the centre of the pitch in his number 27 jersey. His talents have not gone unnoticed on the international scene, with multiple appearances for the Belgium U21 team under his belt.
Transfermarkt puts his market value at approximately £8.5m, suggesting that his time developing and proving himself in Belgium and Germany has clearly paid off financially. Transfermarkt
Before his rise, Engels began his career labouring in the youth ranks of Club NXT, occupying a spot in Belgium's Challenger Pro League. All that work certainly has its rewards, as he moved to Augsburg in the Bundesliga, bearing a price tag of about £100k in 2023. During his time with Augsburg, he clocked up 51 league appearances, contributing three goals in total.
Celtic noticed his skill and potential, and Engels was soon on the move again. This time, a journey across Europe landed him in Scotland, with Celtic prying him away from Augsburg with a hefty expenditure of around £11m in August 2024. Since arriving on Scottish soil, Engels has flourished in the green and white hoops. In his first season (2024 - 2025), Engels graced the field 34 times, netting nine goals. He's maintaining his form into the current season (2025 - 2026) with 21 appearances and four goals thus far.
Beyond the league, Engels has exhibited his skills on various stages for Celtic. He's been active in the League Cup with three starts and a single substitute appearance. He has also tasted European competitions, stepping in twice as a substitute in the Champions League qualifiers. Furthermore, he's notched up five starts and two substitutions in the Europa League, showing that his talents hold firm under the international spotlight.
