Marco Tilio’s move to Rapid Vienna has taken a decisive turn, with journalist Anthony Joseph reporting that the Austrian club have renegotiated the terms of the transfer to make it a £1.3 million permanent deal.
However, Celtic pushed for an outright sale, preferring to keep an international loan slot free under FIFA’s updated regulations. With the new terms agreed, Tilio will now depart on a permanent basis.
From Celtic’s perspective, the shift in structure is a sensible one. Brendan Rodgers is working to bring in fresh wide options before the window shuts, and removing any lingering conditions around Tilio’s departure helps streamline the club’s squad management. With restrictions tightening around international loans, securing a clean break was seen as the better option.
Tilio’s spell in Glasgow has been a frustrating one. The Australian international struggled to break into the side after his move last year, featuring only sparingly and failing to make any significant impact under Rodgers. A mix of injuries and strong competition for places meant he never got a proper run in the team.
The player is believed to be keen on the move to Austria, where the chance of regular first-team football offers a clear path to revitalising his career.
The original plan had been to assess him during a loan spell with Rapid, but with the new agreement in place, he’ll be given a full reset in Vienna from the off.
Celtic reportedly paid £1.5 million to sign Tilio in 2023, meaning the £1.3 million fee recoups a good portion of their original outlay and allows the club to shift focus entirely to incoming transfers. With Tilio’s exit now all but sealed, attention will turn to who Rodgers brings in to bolster his wide options before the end of the month.
