Celtic have bolstered their defensive ranks with the signing of Manchester City’s highly-rated centre-back Jahmai Simpson-Pusey on a season-long loan, a move that underscores the Scottish champions’ ambition to compete on both domestic and European fronts.
The 19-year-old defender, who has been lauded for his composure and ball-playing ability, is set to join Brendan Rodgers’ squad ahead of the Scottish Premiership opener against St Mirren, marking the club’s seventh signing of a busy summer transfer window.
The agreement, finalized after weeks of negotiations, sees Celtic fend off competition from several English Championship clubs and Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, who had also tabled offers for the England youth international. Simpson-Pusey, a product of Manchester City’s esteemed academy since the age of eight, has already tasted senior football with the Premier League giants, making six appearances across all competitions last season, including two in the Premier League and two in the Champions League.
His standout performances in the Premier League 2, where he was named Player of the Season for 2024/25, and his captaincy of City’s Under-18s to FA Youth Cup glory have marked him as one of England’s brightest defensive prospects.
Brendan Rodgers, Celtic’s manager, expressed his delight at securing Simpson-Pusey’s services, emphasizing the young defender’s potential to enhance the team’s backline. “Jahmai is a fantastic talent with a bright future,” Rodgers said. “His ability to read the game, combined with his composure on the ball, makes him a perfect fit for how we want to play. We’re thrilled to bring him to Celtic, and I’m confident he’ll thrive in the high-pressure environment here.” The move comes at a crucial time for Celtic, who have seen defensive departures this summer, with Gustaf Lagerbielke joining Braga permanently and Maik Nawrocki moving to Hannover 96 on loan. Additionally, uncertainty surrounds Stephen Welsh, who has attracted interest from Plymouth Argyle.
Simpson-Pusey’s arrival addresses a strategic need for Celtic, particularly in their quest to strengthen the left side of central defence. While Cameron Carter-Vickers remains the cornerstone of the backline, his recurring injury concerns have exposed vulnerabilities.
Current left-sided options Liam Scales and Auston Trusty have yet to fully convince Rodgers in terms of ball progression, an area where Simpson-Pusey excels. His ability to initiate attacks from deep with forward-thinking passing aligns seamlessly with Rodgers’ vision of building from the back, offering a dynamic edge to Celtic’s defensive setup.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who previously praised Simpson-Pusey’s “composure” after a 2-1 defeat to Brighton last season, endorsed the loan move as a vital step in the youngster’s development. “Jahmai has shown he can handle the demands of senior football,” Guardiola noted. “A move to a club like Celtic, with its winning culture and European exposure, will be invaluable for him. We’ll be watching his progress closely.” For City, the loan ensures Simpson-Pusey gains regular first-team experience while remaining under their long-term contract, with the potential to return as a more polished player next summer.
The move to Celtic offers Simpson-Pusey a platform to test himself in the intense atmosphere of the Scottish Premiership, where title expectations are relentless, and in European competition, where Celtic aim to make an impact.
The young defender, who has expressed his readiness for senior football, will compete for a starting spot alongside established names like Carter-Vickers and Trusty, while also benefiting from the mentorship of Rodgers, known for nurturing young talent.