Michel-Ange Balikwisha transfer from Celtic

Michel-Ange Balikwisha, a 25-year-old Congolese winger, is reportedly nearing a departure from Celtic after struggling to secure playing time under manager Martin O’Neill. Having joined the club from Royal Antwerp in August 2025, Balikwisha had fallen out of tactical plans, prompting interest from several clubs including AC Monza, FC Basel, and SV 07 Elversberg.

By late August, a verbal agreement was reached for Balikwisha to return to the Belgian Jupiler Pro League on a loan deal with KAA Gent. The loan is expected to last until the end of the current season and includes an option for Gent to make the transfer permanent.

On August 28, 2026, KAA Gent officially completed the signing of Balikwisha on a season-long loan. The deal includes an option to make the transfer permanent for approximately £3.5 million. Gent coach Rik De Mil noted that the winger’s experience and familiarity with the Belgian league would provide depth for the club’s UEFA Conference League campaign. During his tenure at Celtic, Balikwisha recorded limited first-team minutes, totaling 273 minutes of play.