Motherwell Sign Joe Hodge as Celtic Eye Double Transfer

Motherwell have dipped into the Portuguese market to land Republic of Ireland midfielder Joe Hodge from Tondela, sealing a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee.

It is a quietly bold move. Hodge is only 23, but his passport is already crowded.

The former Wolves man arrives in Lanarkshire after a season in Portugal’s top flight, adding another layer to a career that has already taken in Manchester City’s academy, loan spells at QPR and Huddersfield, and a Premier League debut. Born in Manchester and developed at City, he chose the Republic of Ireland pathway early and climbed through the age groups before making his senior debut against Canada in June.

Motherwell boss Alfred Johansson made it clear this was a targeted signing, not an opportunistic one.

“Joe is an excellent footballer who fits the profile for the type of midfielder we want in our squad,” he told the club’s website. Johansson highlighted Hodge’s exposure to elite opposition in the Premier League and his experience across English and Portuguese football, stressing that at 23 “there is more to come from this young man”.

The Swede also believes Motherwell’s style will give Hodge room to grow.

“We feel we play a brand of football that will allow Joe to flourish and develop further. He made it very clear that he wanted to play for Motherwell from the very start of this process, so I’m pleased we’re at this stage.”

Hodge, for his part, sounded like a player in a hurry.

“I’ve been so keen to get this done,” he said. “Having watched Motherwell games last season and the games this season, I’ve been itching to get involved.

“As a footballer, you want to play in football teams that you feel are best suited to your qualities, and I feel this group of coaches and players are a perfect match for me.”

For Motherwell, it is another attempt to squeeze value out of a market where pedigree and potential intersect. For Hodge, it is a chance to turn scattered experience into a commanding role in the middle of the park.

Celtic’s window poised to ignite

Across the divide, Celtic’s summer business could be about to accelerate.

Long-term target Mika Baur has reportedly been granted permission to hold transfer talks, a development that may finally crack open a deal that has simmered for weeks. German outlet Neue Westfalische reports that newly promoted Bundesliga side Paderborn have given the 22-year-old time off for discussions, with Baur missing training on Wednesday morning.

Celtic have tracked the attacking midfielder throughout the summer. The sticking point has been the fee, with Baur heading into the final year of his contract after joining Paderborn from Freiburg in 2024.

Despite his age, Baur already carries a substantial body of work. He clocked more than 60 league appearances for Freiburg’s second team as a teenager, then pushed on to over 40 first-team outings for Paderborn. That blend of youth and senior minutes has marked him out as a Germany Under-21 international with obvious upside.

Celtic are not stopping there. The club have also been strongly tipped to bring in Egypt international and Real Oviedo winger Haissem Hassan in the coming days.

The 24-year-old, who previously represented France at youth level before switching allegiance, caught the eye in the knockout stages of the World Cup. His ability to operate from wide areas and attack defenders one-on-one would add a different threat to Celtic’s forward line.

Motherwell bedding in a new Irish international in midfield. Celtic circling a creative German playmaker and a World Cup-tested winger. The window is edging towards its decisive phase, and Scotland’s transfer market suddenly has a sharper edge.