Celtic Close In on Colombian Forward Duran from Qarabag

52 minutes ago·2 min

Celtic are closing in on the signing of Camilo Duran, the Colombian forward who lit up this season's UEFA Champions League with Qarabag, with manager Martin O'Neill poised to complete his first transfer since returning to the club on a permanent basis.

Reports suggest Celtic are willing to pay a fee in the region of £5.5 million for Duran, a figure that reflects the 24-year-old's rapid rise in European football. He is expected to travel to Celtic's training camp in Portugal ahead of completing a medical.

Champions League credentials

Duran ended Qarabag's European campaign as one of the standout performers in the Champions League knockout play-off round, scoring a consolation goal against Newcastle United as the Azerbaijan side exited 8-2 on aggregate. That strike was his fifth goal in the competition.

He had previously scored against Benfica, twice against Eintracht Frankfurt, and once in a defeat to Ajax — finishing the campaign with as many Champions League goals as Vinicius Junior, Michael Olise, and eventual finalist Desire Doue. That is a remarkable return for a player who arrived at Qarabag from Portugal's second tier last year for a fraction of his current reported fee.

A versatile, powerful forward

Born in Santa Marta, Duran grew up in difficult circumstances before football changed the course of his life. He left Colombia for Brazilian giants Flamengo on loan, where he impressed before an injury cut short a potential permanent move. He subsequently headed to Europe in 2022, first sharpening his skills in Portugal before making the step up to Qarabag.

Originally a midfielder at Independiente Medellin, he was converted into a forward under coach Sebastian Botero — a transformation that has paid dividends. According to Transfermarkt, he has appeared in 38 games as a centre-forward, 25 as a right winger despite being left-footed, and nine on the left flank.

When used as a striker, he has contributed 14 goals and 10 assists. In his sole season with Qarabag, he made 45 appearances and racked up 25 goal contributions — 15 goals and 10 assists — though the club finished runners-up in the Azerbaijan Premier League, nine points behind Sabah, and could not retain their title.