Yang Hyun-jun has committed his future to Celtic until 2030, a reward for a winger who has settled into a real first-team role rather than a passing squad cameo. He has scored 17 goals in 111 appearances for Celtic, and the club have moved to back him long term after a deadline-day detour involving Birmingham City.
Why Celtic have backed him now
The new deal fits the picture of a player Celtic clearly trust. Yang has won three Scottish Premiership titles, a League Cup and a Scottish Cup with the club, and he was part of a side that finished the league season top after 38 matches, with 26 wins and 73 goals.
Martin O'Neill was blunt about the decision. “I'm absolutely delighted, because on transfer deadline day he was down at Birmingham City, so I'm pleased that didn't go through,” he said. That is the part of the story that makes the contract more interesting than a routine extension.
O'Neill also pointed to the qualities Celtic value. “He's got big, big goals for us at big moments and he's brave as well. He takes the ball under pressure,” he said. That is a useful description of why a manager would want to lock down a winger who has already delivered enough in decisive moments to justify more faith.
What Yang said about his future
Yang's own line leaves little room for misreading the mood. “I love this club and my future is here,” he said. He also added that he is happy, even if “the season was a little bit hard”, and said he wants better performances in Europe next season.
There is a sensible football case behind the sentiment. Celtic are extending a player with 111 appearances already on the clock, not gambling on a new arrival who still has to prove he belongs. His record is not explosive, but it is steady enough, and the club's willingness to move early on a new agreement says they see him as part of the next stretch.
The Birmingham City move was there, then it was gone. Yang is staying at Celtic, and the next step is simply to see whether he turns more of those big moments into goals as the new deal runs through 2030.
Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
