Who is Landon Emenalo? Everything you need to know about Celtic’s latest target
Celtic are reportedly on the verge of landing Chelsea youngster Landon Emenalo as they look to increase their defensive depth.
Reports have emerged on Thursday that a season-long loan is being eyed for the 18-year-old left-back.
It is believed that Emenalo has already been given a VIP tour of the Hoops' training HQ in Lennoxtown as well as Celtic Park.
Martin O’Neill has been chasing a new left-back all summer to help provide cover to Kieran Tierney.
This has seen players such as Marcelo Saracchi and Greg Taylor be linked to the club in recent weeks.
Now, Football Insider has examined everything you need to know about Celtic’s potential next signing.
Who is Landon Emenalo?
Emenalo started off his footballing career in Chelsea’s academy.
After a brief two-year stint at Monaco, he returned back to the Blues’ youth system in 2019.
Since the 2023-24 campaign, the left-back has been part of Chelsea’s Under 21 squad, and he has since established himself as a regular.
In January 2025, he signed his first professional contract and was named in the Blues’ first-team squad for the first time in April 2025, when he was placed on the bench in the Conference League match against Legia Warsaw.
In the 2025-26 campaign, he made 25 starts in the Premier League 2 as the club finished top of the table.
As a result, he signed a long-term contract in March, which will keep him at the club until 2031.
He also appeared in the matchday squad yet again in October, as Chelsea beat Liverpool 2-1 in the Premier League.
Ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, Emenalo was part of the Blues’ pre-season squad in Australia and Asia and played 64 minutes in the 6-4 victory over Western Sydney.
As a result, if the Daily Record’s report is correct, Celtic could have a highly promising player on their hands for the rest of the current season.
How good is Emenalo?
When looking at his stats in the Premier League 2 last season, Emenalo is a full-back who is capable of affecting the play at both ends of the pitch.
According to Fotmob on 13 August, he averaged 0.19 assists, 1.48 chances created, 0.13 big chances created, 0.71 successful crosses with a 35.5 per cent overall success rate, 5.15 duels won with a 68.4 per cent overall success rate, 1.93 tackles, 1.87 interceptions, 5,47 recoveries and 0.19 clean sheets per 90 minutes.
Therefore, if these stats can be replicated in the Scottish Premiership, Emenalo could become a massive asset this season.
However, it remains to be seen if Celtic can get a deal over the line for the youngster in the coming weeks.