Celtic are closing in on a deal to sign goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. The 37-year-old former Leicester City, Nice and Leeds United shot-stopper played for Anderlecht last season but is now available on a free transfer following the conclusion of a one-year deal.
Schmeichel, who has 105 caps for Denmark and who played all four games for his country at Euro 2024, captaining the side, came through the ranks at Manchester City.
With Joe Hart in his way, Schmeichel left Manchester for first-team football, but Schmeichel will now replace Hart, who departed Celtic at the end of last season, on a one-year deal with an option of another year.
Anderlecht and Saudi side Al-Shabab had shown interest in the goalkeeper for the forthcoming season but Schmeichel is now set to have a medical at Celtic Park and join up with Brendan Rodgers and his squad in the next days.
Meanwhile, Aberdeen go into their competitive season without the injured Dante Polvara and the absent Duk. Midfielder Polvara faces four months out after a training-ground injury while Duk’s Dons future is in doubt with the club calling his absence an internal matter.
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An agent for the Cape Verde forward was previously quoted as saying the 24-year-old “has to leave” this summer with a year left on his contract.
Ahead of Saturday’s Premier Sports Cup opener against Queen of the South in Dumfries, manager Jimmy Thelin said: “It’s only Dante that’s not available because of injury. Let’s see for the situation but Duk is not going to be in the squad. Right now we have some internal issues about Duk’s situation. That’s all I can say about that.”
North Macedonia striker Bojan Miovski has been the subject of fresh speculation with Bologna reportedly keen to sign another Dons player following Lewis Ferguson’s success in Serie A. “Bojan is training every day here so let’s see the squad,” Thelin said.
Polvara will see a consultant after suffering a hamstring tear but the club expect him to be out of action for 14-16 weeks. After a slow start to his Dons career, the 24-year-old American midfielder made 40 appearances last season and scored in his final two matches of the campaign.
Thelin said: “We’re clearly all very disappointed for Dante, particularly as he had made such a positive impression during pre-season.
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“He’s an important player for us to lose at such an early stage in our season but he will have the full support of everyone at the club and I’m sure he will come back stronger from this setback.”
● Scotland Women beat Slovakia as Claire Emslie scored twice for a fourth consecutive competitive win. The Uefa Championship qualifying game was interrupted by a thunderstorm for 40 minutes.
