The Mexican is currently on loan from Bournemouth and keeping him for next season looked to be a tall order
20:42, 15 Mar 2026Updated 20:45, 15 Mar 2026
Julian Araujo of Celtic FC celebrates
Hopes of Celtic managing to hold on to Julian Araujo next season have been boosted after his brother rated the Mexican fullback’s chances of donning the Hoops next season as “high.”
The 24-year-old joined on loan from Bournemouth in January as has been far and away the most impressive of the mid-season signings, with fans taking to the combative defender following his impressive displays despite the champions making hard work of retaining their title.
A last gasping stoppage time winner in a 3-2 away win at Kilmarnock earned Araujo hero status, while launching himself into the jubilant away end to join the celebrations only further endeared him to supporters.
Araujo missed the 3-1 win over Motherwell at the weekend through injury, with boss Martin O’Neill unwilling to risk the player after he felt some tightness in training.
With Alistair Johnston still missing amid a lengthy lay off, Araujo is key to Celtic’s hopes of leapfrogging Hearts at the top of the Premiership table.
Araujo’s brother’s Instagram post
Keeping the right back in Glasgow beyond the summer seemed a remote possibility until now, with over three years left on his Cherries deal after joining in a £8.5million switch from Barcelona in August 2024.
There is also said to be plenty of interest in Araujo from elsewhere in England.
But now his brother has catapulted Celtic towards the front of the queue and another loan deal could well be possible if a permanent move is out the club’s reach.
Sharing pic of Araujo in which the pair appear to be tucking into a takeaway, he took questions from fans on Instagram.
And when one Celtic punter asked what the chances of his brother remianing in a Celtic shirt next season are, he replied: “Chances are high” along with a ‘sshh’ emoji.
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