Celtic Scout This Moroccan Forward Ahead Of A Potential Summer Swoop: Smart From The Hoops?

Yahoo

3 days ago

If a report from ESPN.nl (as quoted by the Daily Record) is believed to be true, Celtic had their scouts in attendance to monitor Youssef El Kachati during Telstar's decisive playoff tie against Den Bosch. The Moroccan found the net from the spot, as the White Lions grabbed a 2-1 AET win en route to clinching a promotion to the Eredivisie.
Born in the Netherlands, the 25-year-old attacking ace progressed through Noordwijk and Sparta Rotterdam's academy ranks before breaking into the latter's reserve squad in Tweede Divisie. He was handed a few senior appearances in Eerste Divisie during the 2018-19 season; however, El Kachati struggled for minutes since the Castle Lords' top-flight promotion in 2019. After just one Eredivisie appearance, Sparta released him in March 2020, when the season was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Advertisement
The former Morocco U23 international returned to Noordwijk and then joined Westerlo for gametime. While he could not leave an impact on either of them, a Bosman move to Quick Boys changed his fortune. After failing to agree on a contract extension with Blue White Jesters, El Kachati joined Telstar in the Eerste Divisie.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – APRIL 20: Adam Idah of Celtic celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Semi Final match between St Johnstone and Celtic at Hampden Park on April 20, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by)
The versatile forward scored 23 goals and laid on six more in 43 appearances throughout the 2024-25 season [stats via Transfermarket]. He was instrumental to Telstar's Eredivisie promotion, and his emergence has caught the eyes of the Scottish champions.
Former footballer turned Dutch TV pundit Hans Kraay has also revealed Celtic's interest in El Kachati. But the Hoops are not alone in the race with Hannover and Schalke, as well as top-flight Dutch outfits, also keeping close tabs on the Telstar sensation.
'Celtic were in the stands to watch Youssef El Kachati. I know that for sure. He has been in contact with Hannover and he has been in contact with Schalke too. He has a lot of interest from other clubs too, including ones in the Eredivisie. He can take his pick at the end of the season. He wants to go abroad.'
Why Celtic Are Keen To Have Him This Summer
Meanwhile, his availability as a free agent must have fascinated the suitors across Europe. Celtic parted ways with Kyogo Furuhashi in January but failed to rope in an outright 'number 9' before the window was shut. Daizen Maeda showed his mastery as a makeshift centre-forward. But Jota's knee injury saw the Japanese hitman return to his usual left-wing role to incorporate Adam Idah down the middle.
The Irishman and his fellow compatriot, Johnny Kenny, are the only striking options Brendan Rodgers has in his ranks. Kenny, nevertheless, is not ready to spearhead the attack as a first-team regular, whereas Idah needs competition to offer more consistency high up the pitch. Despite proving his flexibility across the frontline, El Kachati fits well as a marksman who would challenge and cover Idah week in and week out. Snapping him up for nothing would allow the Celts to bolster other areas and build on last season's strong Champions League run.