Premier League Club confirms a “exciting” £2.6 million capture; Celtic misses out.

Scottish champions Celtic have officially missed out on Iceland goalkeeper Hakon Rafn Valdimarsson with Brentford confirming his £2.6 million move to the Premier League outfit. 

Just two days after Horatiu Moldovan joined Atletico Madrid, another talented shot-stopper linked with a move to Parkhead has put pen to paper elsewhere.

Hakon Valdimarsson reportedly caught Celtic’s eye during a superb end to 2023 with Elfsborg and Iceland, one particularly eye-catching performance against Portugal in the European Championship qualifiers doing his reputation no harm at all.

But, after also missing out Moldovan and with Valdimarsson doing what HITC Football said he would, The Hoops will have to turn their attention elsewhere as they scour the market for a potential, long-term Joe Hart replacement.

Brentford acquires Hakon Valdimarsson, a goalkeeper, from Elfsborg

“There was competition from a lot of other clubs, including some in the Premier League,” Bees manager Thomas Frank grinned. Prior to Brentford agreeing to a transaction valued little under £3 million, Aston Villa reportedly made an offer of their own.

“As a team, we are expanding, and we have shown that we improve players. Hakon is a fascinating custodian. He excels at controlling his box and winning crosses both in open play and from set pieces. Additionally, his distribution is excellent. Crucially, he matches the kind of play we want to play.

“Hakon is joining us to compete and strengthen our goalkeeping group.”

Celtic searching for substitutes for Joe Hart
What Valdimarsson’s arrival implies for Frank’s current first- and second-choice goalkeepers, Tomas Strakosha and Mark Flekken, is still to be determined. Since David Raya left for Arsenal last summer, neither has really been able to take over.

After earning Goalkeeper of the Year for his outstanding achievements in Sweden’s top division, Valdimarsson travels to West London.

Meanwhile, the Moldovan described earlier was able to move to the capital of Spain a few days ago. This made it possible for Atletico Madrid to trade Ivo Grbic to Sheffield United, who paid £2 million to get the one-time West Brom target.