{
  "id": 2229545,
  "title": "Celtic Identify This Former Premier League Goalkeeper As A Summer Target: Why He Could Be A Shrewd Signing",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/celtic-identify-this-former-premier-league-goalkeeper-as-a-summer",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-20T21:25:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/celtic-identify-former-premier-league-212500259.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Celtic are reportedly eyeing former Premier League goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu as a potential summer signing, as revealed by a recent report by The Daily Echo cited by The National. The 24-year-old Republic of Ireland international has been shortlisted alongside Balazs Toth and Leo Cavallius. However, Celtic is not the only club pursuing Bazunu, as Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb are also in the mix.\n\nBazunu, who progressed through Shamrock Rovers' academy in his native Croatia, made his mark in Irish football at just 16 years old. He eventually joined Manchester City, where he spent time on loan at Rochdale and Portsmouth in League One before signing a high-profile £12 million deal with Southampton in 2022. Despite being the first-choice goalkeeper, Southampton finished at the bottom of the table and were relegated to the Championship.\n\nBazunu's tenure at Southampton was cut short by an Achilles injury in April 2024, which kept him out for months. He was subsequently loaned to Standard Liège in February 2025 but returned to Celtic Park after just a few months due to further fitness concerns. During his time with Southampton, he made 19 appearances in the first half of the 2023-24 season before losing his starting spot to Daniel Peretz following the latter's arrival from Bayern Munich.\n\nCeltic has a history of signing high-profile goalkeepers to provide immediate leadership and stability, with Kasper Schmeichel being a recent example. However, Bazunu's arrival could signal a shift in Celtic's transfer policy, focusing on a fresh start for a shot-stopper who has faced persistent fitness issues. The Scottish champions see Bazunu as a potential third-choice option behind Ross Doohan and Sinisalo, but he could challenge for Sinisalo's position. The move could offer Bazunu a new lease on his career and help him overcome the setbacks he has faced.",
  "summary": "If a recent report from The Daily Echo (as cited by The National) is true, Celtic are assessing the market for another goalkeeper and have shortlisted Gavin Bazunu alongside Balazs Toth and Leo Cavall...",
  "key_points": [
    "Celtic targeting former Premier League goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu for summer signing.",
    "Bazunu, 24, Republic of Ireland international, previously at Manchester City and Southampton.",
    "Celtic sees Bazunu as potential third-choice goalkeeper behind Ross Doohan and Sinisalo."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}