Motherwell Signs Joe Hodge from Tondela
Motherwell have dipped back into the European market to land Republic of Ireland international Joe Hodge from Portuguese side Tondela for an undisclosed fee – and they believe they’ve signed a midfielder built for their style.
The 23-year-old, once a highly rated prospect at Manchester City, arrives in Lanarkshire with a varied footballing education already behind him. He came through the academy in his home city, moved on to Wolves, and picked up senior minutes on loan at QPR and Huddersfield before testing himself in Portugal’s top flight with Tondela last season.
That journey has taken him all the way to full international level. Having represented the Republic of Ireland through the age groups, Hodge made his senior debut against Canada in June, a marker of the regard in which he is held.
Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson is in no doubt about the profile of player he has secured.
“Joe is an excellent footballer who fits the profile for the type of midfielder we want in our squad,” he told the club’s website, pointing to a pedigree that already includes Premier League exposure with Wolves.
Johansson highlighted Hodge’s experience in both English and Portuguese football and stressed there is significant upside still to come at 23.
The attraction, he insists, runs both ways. Johansson believes Motherwell’s front-foot approach can bring the best out of Hodge, and revealed the player pushed hard to make the move happen from the outset of talks.
Hodge’s own words back that up. He spoke of being “so keen to get this done” and admitted he has been itching to get involved after watching Motherwell last season and in the early weeks of this campaign. For him, the fit is tactical as much as emotional: he sees this coaching staff and dressing room as aligning with his qualities and the way he wants to play.
Celtic's Transfer Activity
While Motherwell get their man, Celtic’s window looks ready to ignite.
Long-term target Mika Baur has reportedly been granted permission to hold transfer talks, a significant development in a pursuit that has lingered all summer. German outlet Neue Westfalische reported that newly promoted Bundesliga side Paderborn confirmed the 22-year-old had been given time off for discussions and skipped training on Wednesday morning.
Celtic have tracked the attacking midfielder for months, but the fee demanded by Paderborn has been the major obstacle. That stance may be softening with Baur now into the final year of his contract. He joined Paderborn from Freiburg in 2024 and has quickly become a key figure, adding to a CV that already included more than 60 league appearances for Freiburg’s second team as a teenager and over 40 first-team outings for Paderborn.
Celtic’s recruitment drive is unlikely to stop there. The club are also strongly tipped to complete a deal for Egypt international and Real Oviedo winger Haissem Hassan in the coming days.
The 24-year-old, a former France youth international, enhanced his reputation with eye-catching displays in the knockout stages of the World Cup, and his arrival would inject fresh pace and directness into Celtic’s wide areas.
Motherwell have moved early and decisively. Celtic, by contrast, look poised to compress their major business into the final stretch of the window. The next few days could reshape the landscape at both clubs.
