Celtic likely to send Nigerian centreback Osaze Urhoghide out on loan before transfer window closes

NIGERIAN centreback Osaze Urhoghide is likely to be sent out on loan before the close of the January transfer window as Glasgow giants Celtic have received numerous offers for him from within the Scottish Premiership and the English Championship.

Urhoghide, 21, last featured for Nigeria in 2019 when he was invited to the U23 camp and since then has secured a moved from England Championship side Sheffield Wednesday to Celtic. However, since moving north of the border last summer, Urhoghide has struggled to hold down a starting shirt, which has alerted a plethora of clubs.

For now, Celtic have no plans to leave the defender leave but the pressure could build up over the rest of the month, leading to the tabling of an offer too good to turn down. As the Hoops have no intention of allowing him leave the club permanently in the January transfer window, a loan offer seems the most likely option, with Celtic continuing to monitor Urhoghide's development.

Urhoghide finished last season with 17 appearances for Sheffield Wednesday but has struggled to break into Celtic's starting line-up since transferring to the Premiership giants in the summer of 2021. He impressed on his Celtic debut against Real Betis in the Europa League last month but could not build on that performance after suffering a training ground injury.

Manager Ange Postecoglou has not utilised Urhoghide off the bench in 17 matches across all competitions so far this season. Urhoghide's contract with Celtic runs out at the end of the 2024/25 season and the club will hope that he comes good before them.