Michel Ange Balikwisha’s transfer to Celtic is now all but confirmed after the winger said his goodbyes to Antwerp fans and teammates on Sunday afternoon.

The Belgian champions secured a 2-1 victory over Mechelen, but Balikwisha played no part in the match. Instead, the 24-year-old used the post-game moment to wave farewell, with Belgian media noting the clear signs that his next chapter lies in Glasgow.

CeltsAreHere understands Balikwisha signed his Celtic contract earlier on Sunday morning. The winger is now set to fly into Scotland on Monday to finalise the move and begin his Hoops career.

While the player will arrive in Glasgow, he won’t immediately meet his new teammates. Brendan Rodgers’ squad departed early on Sunday for Kazakhstan, where they will face Kairat Almaty in the second leg of their Champions League play-off. Balikwisha will therefore have to wait a little longer for his first full training session in green and white.

The deal brings an end to one of the summer’s longest-running transfer sagas. Balikwisha has been consistently linked with Celtic over the past three months, with negotiations often stalling over a fee and personal terms. Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri was among the first to reveal progress last week, and Sunday’s farewell in Antwerp provided the final piece of confirmation.

Balikwisha’s arrival comes at a vital time for Celtic, who have been short of options in the wide areas. His direct running, creativity, and goal threat will be a welcome boost to Rodgers’ attacking options ahead of a demanding schedule at home and in Europe.

All signs point to Balikwisha being confirmed as the club’s latest signing within the coming days. The farewell in Belgium was emotional, but for Balikwisha, the focus now turns to Glasgow and life as a Celtic player.