Former Celtic midfielder Liam Henderson has joined Serie B side Sampdoria, signing a two-year deal with the Genoa outfit following his departure from Empoli.
The 29-year-old, who came through the ranks at Lennoxtown, makes Samp his sixth Italian club since leaving Celtic Park in 2018. The deal includes an option for the club to extend his stay until 2028.
Henderson links up with a familiar face in Massimo Donati, who was appointed Sampdoria boss last month. Donati, another ex-Celtic midfielder, replaced Alberico Evani in the dugout and now takes on one of Italy’s storied clubs in his biggest managerial role to date.
Benvenuto in blucerchiato Liam. 🏴#ForzaDoria 🔵⚪🔴⚫⚪🔵 pic.twitter.com/IKgfcEf6Ia
— U.C. Sampdoria (@sampdoria) August 7, 2025
Donati spent three seasons at Celtic between 2007 and 2009, turning out 50 times and scoring five goals. His most iconic moment in green and white came in the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk, firing home a dramatic stoppage-time winner that sent the Hoops into the knockout stages.
After leaving Parkhead, Donati’s playing career took him back to Italy and later to Scotland again with spells at Hamilton and St Mirren before hanging up his boots and moving into coaching.
As for Henderson, the midfielder made 37 appearances and scored three goals during his time in Glasgow. After leaving Celtic, he joined Bari, becoming one of the first Scots to play in Serie B in decades. Stints at Hellas Verona, Lecce, Palermo and Empoli followed, with his most recent campaign ending in relegation.
Now under the guidance of Donati, Henderson will look to help steer Sampdoria back to Serie A after the club narrowly missed out on promotion last season.
Football clearly runs in the family, with younger brother Ewan also having come through Celtic’s system. He made 12 appearances for the club before moving on, and recently signed for League One side Wycombe Wanderers.
