Celtic confirms progress on Landon Emenalo transfer from Chelsea, says O’Neill

Celtic is closing in on a season-long loan deal for Chelsea’s Landon Emenalo, with manager Martin O’Neill confirming that the transfer is moving forward. The 18-year-old left-back would give Celtic some much-needed defensive depth heading into what could be one of the most consequential stretches of their season. The timing isn’t coincidental. Celtic faces LASK in the Champions League play-offs, and O’Neill clearly wants his squad sorted before European football ramps up in earnest. Who is Landon Emenalo? Born in Tucson, Arizona, on January 18, 2008, he first entered Chelsea’s academy system at the Under-8 level. Then came a two-year detour to AS Monaco between 2017 and 2019, before he returned to Stamford Bridge to continue his development. He’s been a fixture in Chelsea’s Under-21 setup and signed his first professional contract with the club in 2025. His current deal runs through 2031, which tells you Chelsea sees long-term value in the teenager even if they’re willing to loan him out now. His father, Michael Emenalo, is a former Nigeria international who later served as Chelsea’s technical director. Despite his American birthplace, Emenalo represents England at youth level. He’...