Celtic sign Junior Adamu and stand firm on Arne Engels

Junior Adamu became Celtic’s first deadline-day signing after the Scottish champions rejected a £25million bid for Arne Engels.

After having offers in the region of £14m and £17m rebuffed, the Press Association understands Nottingham Forest returned with a third bid for the 22-year-old Belgium midfielder.

However, the Hoops have turned down the opportunity to make a significant profit on a player they bought for £11m from Augsburg in August 2024.

After failing to replace main goalscorer Kyogo Furuhashi in the final week of last year’s winter transfer window, Celtic appear to be taking no chances amid what is gearing up to be the most competitive William Hill Premiership title race in decades.

Austria international forward Adamu has arrived on loan from Freiburg with Celtic having the option to buy the 24-year-old, who has scored two goals this season. Adamu’s arrival allowed Johnny Kenny to join Bolton on loan.

Celtic confirmed the loan signing of 20-year-old Brentford defender Benjamin Arthur just after the 11pm deadline, a deal Motherwell were pinning their hopes on being completed in time to sanction a loan return for Stephen Welsh.

A deal to sign Lorient winger Joel Mvuka remained in the balance.

Rangers boss Danny Rohl was hoping to finalise a deal for Hansa Rostock forward Ryan Naderi, who reportedly arrived at their Milngavie training ground as the deadline approached.

Midfielder Joe Rothwell left Ibrox to sign for Sheffield United while Clinton Nsiala joined Belgian side Westerlo on loan with an option for a permanent move.

Hearts forward James Wilson has joined Tottenham on loan with a view to a summer transfer 24 hours after Arsenal made an enquiry about the 18-year-old Scotland cap, who has only had about 90 minutes of Premiership action all season after previously netting eight goals for the club.

Arsenal did swoop for another Scottish teenager as they signed 18-year-old St Mirren forward Evan Mooney. The Buddies declared they had secured a “substantial fee with potential for significant future add-ons and a sizeable sell-on clause”.

Saints brought in an 18-year-old from the Premier League as Manchester United Under-21 captain Jacob Devaney bolstered their midfield.

It was a busy day at Easter Road. Hibernian signed right-back Felix Passlack from Bochum versatile attacker Ante Suto from Croatian side Slaven Belupo on permanent deals while Zimbabwe centre-back Mushane Garananga joined on loan from FC Copenhagen.

Hibs allowed Dylan Levitt to join Leyton Orient and Junior Hoilett departed for Swindon.

Falkirk announced the arrival of Aston Villa winger Ben Broggio on loan with the 19-year-old becoming their third new January recruit.

Aberdeen signed 27-year-old midfielder Dennis Geiger on loan from Hoffenheim, with an option to buy, while Adil Aouchiche was recalled by Sunderland ahead of a move to Schalke. Another midfielder departed as Leighton Clarkson joined Blackpool for an undisclosed fee.

Kilmarnock were the first club to announce a deadline-day signing as midfielder Aaron Tshibola returned for a fourth spell at Rugby Park on a contract until the end of the season.

Dundee made three signings as Dutch defender Lewis Montsma joined on a short-term deal from Lincoln, former Aberdeen and Rangers winger Scott Wright joined on loan from Birmingham and 18-year-old forward Aldahir Valenzuela became the latest player to sign on loan from Mexican side Monterrey. Dundee also look to have rebuffed interest in Luke Graham.

Dundee United have signed 21-year-old Ghanaian midfielder Emmanuel Agyei on a permanent transfer from Israeli Premier League side Ashdod.