Celtic are in talks with German side SC Paderborn over a £4million deal for midfielder Mika Baur, with the transfer reportedly close. The 22-year-old is expected to be the first step in strengthening the Hoops' midfield this summer.
Who is Mika Baur?
Born in Salem, Germany in 2004 near the Swiss border, Baur has Malagasy roots – the indigenous ethnic group of Madagascar. He has represented Germany from Under-18 to Under-21 level.
His father, Markus Baur, is a German handball legend who played for Germany over 14 years, competed in the 2004 Olympics in Athens (the year Mika was born), and won a silver medal plus World and European Championships. His sister Chiara is also a handball player, while brother Kimi Baur is a striker with SC Freiburg U19s.
Career path
Baur started with RW Salem youth, moved to Radolfzell, then Stuttgart, and later joined SC Freiburg's academy. He moved to SC Paderborn in 2024, was loaned to Dynamo Dresden in January 2025, and has since made 36 appearances, scoring four goals and providing six assists.
He has been linked with Schalke, Werder Bremen, Stuttgart, Mainz 05, and Wolfsburg this summer. Baur is represented by the same agency as Nicolas Kuhn, with ex-Rangers midfielder Christian Nerlinger brokering the deal – the same agent who oversaw Kuhn's move from Rapid Vienna.
Playing style and versatility
Baur can play as an attacking midfielder or wide on the left, offering versatility. He is two-footed. With Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain the only midfield addition so far, Baur is seen as a potential replacement for Arne Engels, who is expected to move on, with Nottingham Forest interested. Doubts also remain over captain Callum McGregor's future amid rumours of a reunion with Ange Postecoglou at Al Nassr.
