Celtic Line Up ‘Explosive’ Striker as Martin O’Neill’s First Signing
Martin O’Neill has made his opening move as Celtic manager, landing Taïryk Arconte from Rodez in a deal that signals intent. The 22-year-old Guadeloupe international has been in hot demand, with Auxerre and Millwall also pursuing him, but the recently crowned Scottish champions have won the race for his signature.
This season in Ligue 2, Arconte has delivered 14 goals and 3 assists across 2,407 minutes – numbers that stand out in France’s second tier and explain why European clubs have been circling. He’s been a key player for Rodez, who finished fifth in Ligue 2 at the end of the 2025-26 season.
On paper, Arconte looks like an unconventional choice for a club of Celtic’s stature. Born in Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, he came up through lower-level French football before making his senior debut with Ajaccio in 2021, but he never quite got his chance in Ligue 1. Instead, he moved to Pau on loan then returned to Rodez permanently in August 2025.
That’s where O’Neill has spotted something. The Celtic manager doesn’t do nostalgia signings – he’s identified a young, hungry striker with genuine goal output and experience across multiple levels of French football. Arconte is quick, direct, and knows how to finish. Standing 1.81m with his right foot as his preference, he’s got the physical tools to handle the Scottish Premiership, and he’s already got seven caps for the Guadeloupe national team with three goals, so he’s proven at international level too.
The £1.5 million price tag is smart business. O’Neill gets a young player with a proven Ligue 2 record without breaking the bank, and Arconte’s contract at Rodez runs until 2028, meaning the club has protection should he develop further. There’s also room for growth here. He’s not a finished product – he’s a raw talent with the mentality to compete at a higher level.
For Celtic, it addresses an immediate need. They want someone who can score goals consistently and bring energy to the front line. Arconte’s season numbers suggest he can do exactly that. The step up from Ligue 2 to the Scottish Premiership is real, but it’s manageable for a player of his age and hunger.
What makes this signing interesting is what it says about O’Neill’s approach. He’s not chasing big names or established Premier League talent. He’s working the market, finding value, and betting on hunger and hunger over reputation. That’s the mindset of a manager with a clear vision.
For Arconte, Celtic is the chance he’s been waiting for – a move to one of Europe’s historic clubs with a platform to prove himself. He’s now ready to take his career to the next level.
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