Celtic have stepped up their defensive recruitment drive with Head of Football Operations Paul Tisdale reportedly dispatched to Belgium tonight to watch Hammarby’s Viktor Eriksson in action tonight. [SunSport]
The 24-year-old centre-back will feature against Charleroi in the Europa Conference League Second qualifying round, with Brendan Rodgers instructing Tisdale to run the rule over the Swede.
Eriksson has been a key player for Hammarby, making 21 appearances in all competitions, as the Stockholm club push for the Allsvenskan title. Standing out for his no-nonsense style and aerial dominance, he has been attracting interest from abroad, and Celtic are believed to be weighing up a potential move in the region of £2 million.
The defender’s career began at Värnamo Södra before moving to IFK Värnamo in 2017. After six years developing in his homeland, Eriksson made the jump to the United States, signing for MLS outfit Minnesota United.
He mainly featured for their ‘2’ side in MLS Next Pro, America’s equivalent to a reserve league. His American adventure lasted only a short spell before he returned to Sweden last year, joining Hammarby where he has since gone on to make 39 appearances.
Eriksson earned his first Sweden cap last year and was part of Jon Dahl Tomasson’s squad in June, albeit as an unused substitute. His rise has coincided with a strong period for Hammarby, who currently sit second in the table.
Celtic check out Swedish defender https://t.co/ujLyviloyP
— Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko) July 31, 2025
Celtic’s centre-back department has undergone major change this summer. Gustaf Lagerbielke has completed a permanent switch to Braga, while Maik Nawrocki has joined Hannover 96 on loan. Stephen Welsh could also head out on loan, with Plymouth Argyle leading the chase after a proposed permanent move to KV Mechelen fell through.
Rodgers is keen to bolster his defensive options, and while Manchester City youngster Jahmai Simpson-Pusey is expected to arrive on a season-long loan, the Hoops still want a more experienced option to compete with Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales and Maik Nawrocki’s eventual replacement.
Eriksson is naturally right-footed but has shown he can operate at left centre-back as well as his preferred right-sided role. However, Rodgers has previously spoken about his reluctance to use a right-footer on the left of a central pairing.
That would likely see the Swede viewed as serious competition for Cameron Carter-Vickers, potentially opening the door for Dane Murray to head out on loan for regular first-team football.
Eriksson fits the profile, physically imposing, experienced in European football and potentially available at a reasonable fee.
Tonight’s scouting trip in Belgium will give Celtic a close look at whether the Swede can be the next addition to Rodgers’ backline.
