Jahmai Simpson-Pusey joins Celtic on loan from Manchester City | OneFootball

Manchester City defender Jahmai Simpson-Pusey has completed a season-long loan move to Scottish Premiership champions Celtic ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

The move to Celtic Park marks Simpson-Pusey’s first temporary switch away from City since joining the club’s Academy at Under-9s level, following a breakout 2024/25 campaign in which the teenager made his senior debut under Pep Guardiola.

The commanding 19-year-old centre-back featured in five competitive fixtures for the first-team last season, including appearances in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League. His debut came during a Carabao Cup defeat to Tottenham, before going on to earn increasing opportunities as part of City’s rotated matchday squads during the winter period.

Simpson-Pusey was also a standout figure at youth level, captaining City’s Under-21s to a historic fourth consecutive Premier League 2 title and play-off success. The defender was named Premier League 2 Player of the Season for his dominant displays across a campaign that saw City record nine clean sheets, becoming the first in his position to win the award.

Now, as confirmed by Celtic this week, the Scottish Premiership giants have welcomed Jahmai Simpson-Pusey on a season-long loan deal from Manchester City, taking the No. 4 jersey at Celtic Park for the new campaign.

Reacting to the move, Simpson-Pusey told Celtic’s official club website, “It’s great to be here. It’s such a big club and I’m happy to come here, play in front of the fans and play for the team. This is a big opportunity. I want to come here and show my talent and my levels. It’ll be good for me to come and hopefully help the team to win the league again and do well in Europe.”

Offering his thoughts on the acquisition, manager Brendan Rodgers said, “I am really pleased we have been able to bring Jahmai to Celtic, and I believe he will be an important, quality addition to our squad.

“Jahmai is a quick, dominant centre half. He is a strong defender but can also move the ball forward very well as we progress through the pitch. I know Jahmai is excited about this move and bringing him to the club creates even more competition which will only benefit us.

“I am sure he will settle in well with the squad as we get ready for the matches we have coming up at home and abroad.”

Jahmai Simpson-Pusey’s move comes at a time when Manchester City are reshaping their youth development strategy, with several top-rated prospects being sent on more competitive domestic and international loans.

His switch to Celtic, where he could feature in both the UEFA Champions League group stages and a title race under Brendan Rodgers, represents a crucial development step for a player widely regarded as one of City’s brightest defensive prospects.

With the pathway into Pep Guardiola’s first-team fiercely competitive, a successful loan campaign in Scotland could significantly boost Simpson-Pusey’s standing at City ahead of a decisive 2026 summer.

The Premier League giants have not ruled out a long-term integration of the 19-year-old and will closely monitor his progress in Glasgow throughout the season, while his performances at Celtic Park may also serve to further attract interest from other top-flight clubs across Europe ahead of next summer, should City decide to consider further loan opportunities.