Celtic captain Callum McGregor signs new five-year deal

Celtic have confirmed that captain Callum McGregor has signed a new five-year contract, keeping him tied to the club until June 2028.

The 30-year-old midfielder joined the Hoops' academy at the age of nine back in 2001 and has since enjoyed a successful 10-year career in the first team, including the last two as captain.

McGregor has scored 62 goals and registered 71 assists in 420 appearances for Celtic across all competitions and has won 20 trophies including five domestic trebles – more than any other player in football.

The Scotland international, who successfully led Celtic to the treble last season, is the latest first-team star to extend his contract at Parkhead after Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda, who have both penned fresh terms until June 2027.

Speaking to Celtic's official website about his new deal, McGregor said: "It's amazing to extend my stay at the club. As I've touched on before, this club means so much to me and the success that we've had over the past few seasons has cemented that.

"I feel like the club's in a great place to move forward as well, and when they came and asked me to extend my stay I was absolutely delighted.

© #CalMac2028 ©

We are delighted to announce that Callum McGregor has signed a new five-year contract which will see him remain at the club until the summer of 2028💚#COYBIG

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 10, 2023

"Brendan [Rodgers is] a top manager and I had the pleasure of working with him before and seeing what he did with that group of players, especially a young, hungry group similar to ourselves, and the way he progressed us and took us on. His personality around the place gives the building another lift as well, so the club's in a really strong place.

"We did some great work over the last couple of years but it's important that we bank that and we continue to move forward because in football you always have to continue your progress and get even better.

"I'm delighted that the manager's back, I'm delighted that I'm going to be here long-term as well, so here's to many more successful years."

McGregor added: "I just want it to continue for as long as possible. I've spoken before about the trust that the guys have put in me at this club, and I want to repay that every time I go on the pitch. They've been amazing for myself and for my family. It's given me a wonderful life and some amazing memories.

"Together with the Celtic fans what we've achieved are memories that will stay with me forever, and there's only one place that I want to play football and that's here."

Rodgers added: "It's amazing news for the club, for the supporters and for the players, but as a manager it's extra special to have someone of that quality captain the team. Callum's just such an inspirational player and I'm absolutely delighted to working with him again.

© Reuters

"He's a player that's undervalued immensely and it's not really until you work with Callum that you really recognise the real qualities that he has, firstly as a player because that's the priority, to develop him as a footballer, but also as a person because he's a great man, and it's been great to see that development, from the time I was first with him and now coming back four years later and seeing him evolve even more.

"He's the heartbeat of this team. He's taken on the responsibility of being captain of a worldwide institution with great effect and we'll look to continue that development.

"At 30 years of age he's still got a lot that he can win and still lots of improvements to make, and I know that he's hungry to do that.

"What's most important is that he's there for the team. He always has been and now, as captain of the club, he's a real selfless leader and for me to have someone lead the team like that and be my coach on the field, it's a great privilege to work with him."

McGregor and his Celtic teammates are currently training in Portugal ahead of two behind-closed-doors friendlies against Portimonense, before jetting off to Japan to continue their pre-season tour.

Celtic will begin the defence of their Scottish Premiership title with a home encounter against Ross County on August 5.