'Important' Balikwisha signs five-year Celtic deal

Michel-Ange Balikwisha will be an "important player" for Celtic after signing with the Scottish champions from Royal Antwerp on a five-year deal.

Balikwisha, 24, has scored once in four matches this season and helped Antwerp win their first Belgian league title since 1957 in 2023.

Celtic will welcome more attacking options after they failed to score in either leg of their Champions League play-off defeat to Kazakhstan's Kairat Almaty.

"He is a really talented, exciting player and with a good level of experience at a high level already, so he will be an important player for us moving forward," said manager Brendan Rodgers.

"He loves to attack and can play both sides of the pitch so we are sure he will give the team some great options.

"Having spoken to Michel-Ange I know he is very excited about joining Celtic and he wants to be a big success with us, so we look forward to working with him."

The Belgian under-21 international came through the ranks at Standard Liege before earning a move to Antwerp in 2021.

Celtic bounce off of their Champions League exit straight into Sunday's Old Firm game, with Balikwisha potentially in line to feature if clearance is granted.

"For me, it's the right move because it's a big club, they play well and they dominate the league.

"I'm a player who likes to press and to give everything so I think it's the right choice to come here to continue like I did at my former club.

"I'm here to help the team, to get some trophies, to play in Europe and win everything, so that's why I'm here."