Celtic Closing In On This Portuguese Defender: Why They Must Have Him In Their Ranks | OneFootball

If a report from HLN (as claimed by The Daily Record) is believed to be true, Celtic are closing in on young Portuguese left fullback Flavio Nazinho, who is expected to leave the Belgian Pro League outfit Cercle Brugge and ply his trade at Parkhead in the coming days.

The 21-year-old Portugal youth international spent his academy years across Monte Caparica, Leão Altivo, Cova da Piedade, Pescadores, Braga and Sporting CP. He featured for Sporting’s reserves in the lower leagues and also made a few first-team appearances under then-Lions boss Ruben Amorim. Cercle Brugge secured his services on a season-long loan in September 2023, and then triggered a £866,000 option-to-buy clause last summer.

Despite not being a regular early in the campaign due to form and fitness reasons, Nazinho started all their relegation playoff fixtures when involved, including the final against Patro Eisden over both legs. He netted and assisted once each in the home tie, as the Bruges side grabbed a thumping 8-2 victory on aggregate to defend their top-flight status.

LISBON, PORTUGAL – JULY 24: Flavio Nazinho of Sporting CP before the start of the Cinco Violinos Trophy match between Sporting CP and Sevilla FC at Estadio Jose Alvalade on July 24, 2022, in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

Celtic have lost Greg Taylor, as the Scotsman left them on a Bosman in favour of a new chapter with Greek giants PAOK. But they have restored parity by bringing Kieran Tierney back, who already penned a pre-contract agreement earlier this year. Interestingly, the Hoops replaced the former Arsenal left fullback with Taylor when he left for North London six years ago.

Why Celtic Are Aiming For Another Left Fullback

Yet the champions of Scotland are aiming for another name to cover Tierney down the left after deciding not to retain Jeffrey Schlupp, regardless of his availability as a free agent. Hayato Inamura, roped in from Albirex Niigata earlier this month, has surprised Brendan Rodgers so far in the pre-season. But the gaffer might still loan the Japanese prospect out, citing him as “part of the investment of the club.”

Rodgers laid out the transfer plans following his side’s 3-2 defeat to Estrela Da Amadora in Lisbon.

Nazinho impressed the Celtic scouts at the U21 European Championship. His flair, marauding runs, cut-insides and attacking expertise tick the boxes of a modern-day fullback, and the Hoops must now agree a fee with Cercle Brugge, who have to pay 15 per cent of the profit to Sporting CP due to a sell-on clause. A Move to Paradise would see him flourish under Rodgers and eventually succeed Tierney, while featuring sporadically over the next couple of years.