Alex MacQuoid
Celtic have confirmed the signing of striker Camilo Duran from Qarabag FK, with the Colombian international putting pen to paper on a five-year contract. The fee is undisclosed but widely reported at £6m.
The 24-year-old arrives from the Azerbaijan Premier League runners-up after a standout 2025-26 season, registering 15 goals and 10 assists across 45 appearances in all competitions. His Champions League record was equally sharp — five goals in 10 outings — and that European pedigree made him a primary target for the Scottish Premiership champions. Duran, who will wear the No.11 shirt, is versatile enough to operate as a centre-forward or out wide, and becomes Celtic’s first signing of the summer as well as the first under manager Martin O’Neill following his permanent appointment.
Duran Sets His Sights on Champions League Goals at Celtic
The Colombian was direct about his motivations from the moment interest emerged.
“I’m very happy, it’s a dream come true to sign for a big club like Celtic, the biggest in Scotland, and I’m just excited to get going and score lots of goals,” Duran told CelticPlayer. “When I first heard of the interest there was absolutely no doubt in my mind and I’m just excited to get playing with the boys.”
Champions League football sits at the centre of his ambitions at Parkhead.
“It was a dream come true playing in the Champions League. That’s what you dream of as a kid, so to score goals was amazing and that’s what I want to continue doing here, scoring goals in the Champions League. I give it my all in every game, with a lot of effort and dedication, and hopefully the goals will come.”
Duran also acknowledged the historical weight of his move, becoming the first Colombian to represent the club.
“It’s an honour to be the first Colombian to play for Celtic. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid and I hope that being here at Celtic and working well, then one day that will become true. I’ve told the manager how happy I am to be here and that I will hopefully repay him with my performances. It’s a real honour to wear this jersey and I hope that this year we’ll be champions.”
Pre-Season Schedule and Competitive Debut
Celtic have already started pre-season, drawing 1-1 with Shelbourne on Tuesday. Duran could feature in the next friendly against Sporting Lisbon the following Tuesday.
His competitive bow could come on August 3, when Celtic host Dundee in the opening Scottish Premiership fixture, before the club enters the Champions League playoff rounds. Follow TipsGG for full coverage of Celtic’s summer business and match previews as the new season approaches.