Bodo/Glimt keen on signing Joel Mvuka before Celtic deal was agreed
Bodo/Glimt keen on signing Joel Mvuka before Celtic deal was agreed Norwegian journalist Freddy Toresen has revealed that Bodo/Glimt were keen on signing Joel Mvuka during the January window, before his eventual transfer to Celtic… However, the winger’s move to Glasgow has proven to be a major disappointment, with his time at the club failing to meet expectations in any meaningful way. In fact, the most notable aspect of the deal may be the complications surrounding his medical, which led Celtic to renegotiate the terms of what was initially a £3 million permanent transfer. Adding to the frustration, Mvuka could have been part of a side competing in Champions League knockout fixtures had he chosen a different path.
Speaking on the Studio Glimt Podcast this week, Toresen explained: “There were some really strong rumours, in certain hush-hush circles about a month ago, that Bodo/Glimt wanted to bring Joel Mvuka back from Lorient. He ended up at Celtic. ” Joel Mvuka of Celtic Celtic v Dundee, Scottish Cup, Fifth Round, Celtic Park, 07 February 2026.
Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/ Shutterstock “And almost before I could start digging into it, I confronted Håvard Sakariassen about this rumour I had heard in Spain. The only answer I got was “calm, calm, calm. ” “He didn’t confirm anything, but I think he said it because he probably had a gut feeling that Mvuka wouldn’t end up at Bodo/Glimt, but at Celtic… It’s at least a matter that was there in January-February, but he had signed for Celtic before I finished researching”.
Mvuka is no stranger to Bodo/Glimt, having spent two years with the Norwegian club earlier in his career before earning a move to French side Lorient. Joel Mvuka at Ibrox. Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday 8 March 2026.
Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou He also featured briefly as a substitute when Bodo/Glimt recorded a 3-1 victory over the Hoops at Celtic Park in 2022 during Ange Postecoglou’s tenure. Following his arrival in Glasgow, Mvuka was handed an immediate start against Dundee in the Scottish Cup, but his debut was cut short as he was substituted at half-time after struggling to make an impact. Joel Mvuka of Celtic.