Latest news with #ElKachati
Daily Record
04-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Celtic transfer bulletin as goal machine target performs U turn and unhappy Matt O'Riley drops Brighton bombshell
Brendan Rodgers is in the market for a striker and a heavily linked 25-goal hitman has left the door open Celtic-linked goal machine Youssef El Kachati has stunned Hannover 96 by making an 11th-hour transfer U-turn. The Moroccan forward is hot property after firing Telstar to Eredivisie promotion and has reportedly attracted interest from Parkhead. El Kachati - who rattled 25 goals in 45 games for the newly-promoted Dutch minnows - is out of contract this summer and recently revealed he has several offers on the table. German second-tier outfit Hannover 96 thought they had won the race for the hitman's signature, with Kicker claiming that sporting director Marcus Mann had reached a verbal agreement with the 25-year-old over a free transfer in May. But various reports in Germany now state that El Kachati has had a change of heart and has set his sights on joining a top-tier club playing in European competition. And that could leave the door open for Brendan Rodgers to swoop as the Scottish champions search for a successor to Kyogo. Meanwhile, returning hero Kieran Tierney has delivered his final interview as an Arsenal player as the left-back heads back to Celtic Park. Tierney - who made 144 appearances for the Gunners - became an instant fans' favourite following his £25million move to the Emirates six years ago. And the Scotland defender has bid an emotional farewell by sending a special message to his adoring Gooners. He told the club's media: "Just thank you for everything from day one. They supported us through the good times and the bad, and they supported me through some hard times as well. "I think that's what I'm most grateful for, the times where it wasn't so good or so easy for me is when they probably supported me most, so I'm just very grateful and I feel very lucky to have the support from them. "I feel so lucky that I've played for this club and the love that the supporters have given me has been amazing. I've loved every day here and I've learned so much, I've improved so much and I just feel very lucky. "When I first came in, obviously the club is huge, absolutely massive, but in the league table we were probably where we shouldn't be. "I think the growth over the last three or four years has been incredible and I think this club and this group of players and the manager are just going to go on to even better things in the future. "It'll be hard but it's a happy goodbye. I've loved it here, loved every minute of it. There are countless memories that are amazing for me; your debut is always special, and winning the FA Cup as well in the first season. "It's a great team, and I'm so close to some of the boys in there. I've been here a long time, so it'll be sad but a happy goodbye." Elsewhere, Matt O'Riley admits he's unhappy at Brighton amid interest from Premier League rivals Everton. The ex-Celtic star endured a frustrating debut campaign for the Seagulls following last summer's £25m switch from Parkhead and missed a huge chunk of games through injury. O'Riley, 24, bemoaned the fact he's been unable to play in his favoured position under head coach Fabian Hurzeler, who has used Georginio Rutter in the No. 10 role instead. Speaking in his homeland, the Denmark international said: "I am not completely happy, and I am just giving my opinion. 'It makes it difficult to show off when you play a position you are not completely happy with. I can play better for the team if I play the number eight position, but I can play well in other positions. "You can say it in a way that is not aggressive. If you are honest with another person, you don't lose anything. The coach can always say he doesn't agree." Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Celtic Scout This Moroccan Forward Ahead Of A Potential Summer Swoop: Smart From The Hoops?
If a report from (as quoted by the Daily Record) is believed to be true, Celtic had their scouts in attendance to monitor Youssef El Kachati during Telstar's decisive playoff tie against Den Bosch. The Moroccan found the net from the spot, as the White Lions grabbed a 2-1 AET win en route to clinching a promotion to the Eredivisie. Born in the Netherlands, the 25-year-old attacking ace progressed through Noordwijk and Sparta Rotterdam's academy ranks before breaking into the latter's reserve squad in Tweede Divisie. He was handed a few senior appearances in Eerste Divisie during the 2018-19 season; however, El Kachati struggled for minutes since the Castle Lords' top-flight promotion in 2019. After just one Eredivisie appearance, Sparta released him in March 2020, when the season was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Advertisement The former Morocco U23 international returned to Noordwijk and then joined Westerlo for gametime. While he could not leave an impact on either of them, a Bosman move to Quick Boys changed his fortune. After failing to agree on a contract extension with Blue White Jesters, El Kachati joined Telstar in the Eerste Divisie. GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – APRIL 20: Adam Idah of Celtic celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Semi Final match between St Johnstone and Celtic at Hampden Park on April 20, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by) The versatile forward scored 23 goals and laid on six more in 43 appearances throughout the 2024-25 season [stats via Transfermarket]. He was instrumental to Telstar's Eredivisie promotion, and his emergence has caught the eyes of the Scottish champions. Former footballer turned Dutch TV pundit Hans Kraay has also revealed Celtic's interest in El Kachati. But the Hoops are not alone in the race with Hannover and Schalke, as well as top-flight Dutch outfits, also keeping close tabs on the Telstar sensation. 'Celtic were in the stands to watch Youssef El Kachati. I know that for sure. He has been in contact with Hannover and he has been in contact with Schalke too. He has a lot of interest from other clubs too, including ones in the Eredivisie. He can take his pick at the end of the season. He wants to go abroad.' Why Celtic Are Keen To Have Him This Summer Meanwhile, his availability as a free agent must have fascinated the suitors across Europe. Celtic parted ways with Kyogo Furuhashi in January but failed to rope in an outright 'number 9' before the window was shut. Daizen Maeda showed his mastery as a makeshift centre-forward. But Jota's knee injury saw the Japanese hitman return to his usual left-wing role to incorporate Adam Idah down the middle. The Irishman and his fellow compatriot, Johnny Kenny, are the only striking options Brendan Rodgers has in his ranks. Kenny, nevertheless, is not ready to spearhead the attack as a first-team regular, whereas Idah needs competition to offer more consistency high up the pitch. Despite proving his flexibility across the frontline, El Kachati fits well as a marksman who would challenge and cover Idah week in and week out. Snapping him up for nothing would allow the Celts to bolster other areas and build on last season's strong Champions League run.
The National
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Celtic 'tracking' Moroccan striker available on free transfer
It's reported Celtic are keeping tabs on the 25-year-old who can also play on either wing. The Daily Mail claim Parkhead officials have been monitoring the forward, who was capped at under-23 level for his country. The striker currently plays for Dutch second-tier side Telstar but is set to move this summer. El Kachati's contract with the club comes to an end in the summer with a host of European clubs thought to be keen on signing him on a free transfer. It's reported Brendan Rodgers is keen to add to his striking options at Celtic with Daizen Maeda and Adam Idah the regular central strikers for the club this season. Read more: Kyogo Furuhashi left Celtic in January to join Rennes, with Johnny Kenny playing a bit-part role for Celtic in recent weeks. Now, though, El Kachati has emerged as a possible candidate for a summer transfer to Glasgow. The striker has netted 23 times this term for Telstar with Celtic having reportedly followed his progress "over the past few months".
