Said Hamulic has completed his £2 million move to Ligue 1 outfit Toulouse after reportedly rejecting the chance to join Ange Postecoglou’s Scottish Premiership champions Celtic, speaking to Les Violets website.
The disappointment at missing out on one of Europe’s up-and-coming centre-forwards should, at least, be offset by the potential arrival of yet another rising star from the Far East.
According to Sky Sports, Celtic are set to end their striker search with South Korea international Oh-Hyeon Gyu. The Hoops have agreed personal terms, not to mention a £2.5 million deal with Suwon Bluewings.
21-year-old Hyeon-Gyu scored 14 goals in the K-League last season and should free up Giorgios Giakoumakis – prolific but one-dimensional and a rather awkward fit in Postecoglou’s system – to say his goodbyes.
Celtic could sign Oh Hyeon-Gyu after Said Hamulic chose Toulouse
Celtic, per Tuttomercatoweb, had initially identified Hamulic as a potential Giakoumakis replacement. Tall and rangy at 6ft 2ins but blessed with blistering speed and the ability to drift out wide and cause havoc from the wings, Hamulic made a huge impact in the Polish league with Stal Mielec.
The Dutch-born Bosnian snubbed not only Celtic but also FC Twente, Royal Charleroi and MLS outfit Real Salt Lake in favour of a Toulouse side 12th in Ligue 1 and relatively safe from relegation.
“I’m very happy to come to Toulouse,” says Hamulic, who costs around £2 million.
“It’s a big challenge for me, but I like taking on challenges like this. I can’t wait to get to know my new team-mates and the staff, and to start to win with them.
“I’ve seen a lot of Toulouse games this season. The team plays great football, and that’s why I wanted to sign here.”
In addition to Hamulic, Celtic reportedly took an interest in Cho Gue-Sung, Kevin Nisbet and Casper Tengstedt before settling on Oh Hyeon-Gyu.
Cho spoke openly about his interest in a move, but will now stay in Korea until the summer. Hibernian will not sell Nisbet this month. Tengstedt, meanwhile, was always likely to be beyond Celtic’s budget, sealing a potential £10.5 million move to Portuguese giants Benfica from Rosenborg.
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