Arne Engels, born 8 September 2003 in Belgium, currently graces Celtic's midfield while donning the number 27 jersey. At an imposing height of 6ft (1.84m) and weighing 11st 2lb (71kg), Engels exudes a formidable presence on the pitch, completing the trifecta of physicality, technical prowess, and strategic nous so coveted in modern central midfielders. Alongside his duties at Celtic, Engels also performs on the international stage with the Belgium U21 national team.
As a testament to his burgeoning talent and contribution to the beautiful game, Transfermarkt estimates Engels' market value at a comfortable £8.5m, as reported on their official page.
Before gracing Celtic Park, Engels embarked on his professional journey at Club NXT in the Belgian Challenger Pro League in July 2015. A successful stint on home soil led to his transfer to Augsburg in Germany's Bundesliga in January 2023 for a transfer fee of around £100k.
The 2022-2023 season marked Engels’ initiation into Augsburg's first team, where he made 18 appearances. The following season, Engels bolstered his presence with 32 appearances and netted three goals. His presence dwindled during the 2024-2025 season as he made just a single appearance for Augsburg.
However, an opportunity knocked in the form of Celtic who swooped in to secure Engels' expertise. A transfer amount of approximately £11m marked his passage from Augsburg to the Scottish Premiership in August 2024. During his first season at Celtic (2024-2025), Engels made a mark with 34 appearances and nine goals in league matches. Currently, in the 2025 - 2026 season, Engels has already made 16 appearances and scored two goals.
Besides his commendable league performances, Engels' adventurous spirit is evident in his participation in the League Cup 2025 - 2026 with three starts and one substitute appearance. In the same season, he was featured twice as a substitute in the Champions League qualifiers, and in the Europa League, he commanded the green field with four starts and two appearances as a substitute.
Given his performances, it's clear that Engels has already etched his name into the annals of Celtic's rich history, and promises more thrilling moments of football wizardry in the seasons to come.
