Celtic have signed Real Oviedo winger Haissem Hassan, whose dazzling performance against Argentina took Egypt to the brink of knocking out Lionel Messi's side in one of the games of this summer's World Cup. The 24-year-old, who is left-footed but often plays on the right, has agreed a four-year deal with the option of a further year. Hassan played just 126 minutes at the World Cup because a delay in registering the former France youth international meant he missed the group phase but his profile was raised when he finally featured.
He came on a second-half substitute in Egypt's last-32 penalty shootout win over Australia then tormented Argentina as the Pharaohs were denied a famous win in controversial circumstances. The Paris-born forward has been with Real Oviedo for two years, having moved regularly between three other Spanish clubs since moving from boyhood club Chateauroux in 2020. Celtic manager Martin O'Neill stated his desire for quality over quantity in replenishing a squad that lost more than a dozen players since last season's Premiership and Scottish Cup double.
Hassan is Celtic's third summer signing as the important Champions League play-off with LASK looms next Wednesday. Denmark striker Kasper Hogh has joined in a reported £11m deal from Bodo/Glimt while Colombian forward Camilo Duran moved from Qarabag for an undisclosed fee. "It is a great moment and a real honour for me to join Celtic," Hassan told club media. 'When I heard about Celtic being interested in me, I had to get here and be part of the club." O'Neill added: "The club has done really well to secure a player of such quality, with a number of other clubs interested in him.
"He is someone who I think has the ability and experience to do very well for us, performing at a high level in domestic and international football. "I know he is excited about being with us and I am sure our fans will enjoy the energy and attacking intent which Haissem will bring to matches." 'Celtic fans are going to fall in love with him' - Hogh makes his mark Hassan started Egypt's last-16 match with Argentina and set up Mostafa Zico's goal, skipping past Enzo Fernandez before drilling in a precise delivery to help put Egypt 2-0 up. However, it was Egypt's infamous disallowed goal in their agonising 3-2 defeat by the defending champions that showcased Hassan's direct running and dynamic dribbling qualities.
Bursting forward from the right-back area, he evaded two challenges in a 60-yard run before threading a pass through for Mohamed Salah, who teed up Zico. Across his two World Cup performances, Hassan registered nine dribble attempts at a rate of 6.4 per 90 minutes. Hassan was born in France and represented Les Bleus at under-17 and under-18 level before switching allegiances and making his senior international debut for Egypt, his father's birthplace, earlier this year.
He started his club career in central France at Chateauroux, featuring initially for their B team and then the senior team in the lower leagues. A move to Spain's Villarreal followed in 2020 where he turned out for their B team, then went on loan to Mirandes before returning to the Yellow Submarine for his first taste of top-flight football in La Liga. Another loan, to Sporting Gijon, followed and Hassan stayed in the second tier before a move to Oviedo in 2024.
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