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Fullname: Alexander Mark David Oxlade-Chamberlain
aka: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, AOC
Born: 15 August 1993
Birthplace: Portsmouth, England
Signed: 7 February 2026 (signed as a free agent)
Left: 24 May 2026 (end of loan)
Position: Midfielder, Central Midfielder
Debut: Celtic 2-1 Livingston, SP, 11 Feb 2026
Squad No.: 21
Internationals: England
International Caps: 35
International Goals: 7
Biog
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain arrived at Celtic as an experienced player with a stellar career, having won the Champions League with Liverpool and major trophies with both Liverpool and Arsenal, as well as earning 35 England caps. However, his arrival was met with scepticism due to a series of injuries. Over recent seasons, he had rarely featured for his clubs, and his last spell at Beşiktaş (Turkey) ended after payment disputes, with the club terminating his contract and paying a €1.75 million severance fee.
He had returned to Arsenal for training to regain fitness, but Celtic secured his signature after the January 2026 transfer window. At 32, it was a chance for him to rebuild his career.
Celtic’s first half of the season had been chaotic, with three different managers leaving the club in the hands of interim boss Martin O’Neill and struggling in the league. Hearts led by 6 points, while Celtic were battling TheRangers for second. Off the field, there was turmoil between the board and fans, and the squad was weakened by injuries and in need of new arrivals.
Signing Oxlade-Chamberlain outside the transfer window highlighted Celtic’s desperation, hoping his experience would be the missing piece to turn things around.
He made an incredible start, scoring a stunning debut goal from outside the box in a 2-1 win v Livingston (Feb 2026). The goal kept Celtic’s title hopes alive, as dropping points then would have ended their challenge.
However, he was substituted at half-time in his first Glasgow derby v TheRangers (2-2, Mar 2026), with Celtic 2-0 down. Despite his big-match experience, it was a reality check that Scottish football was no easy ride.
He played little afterwards, mostly coming on as a substitute as it became clear he was not fully match-fit for a gruelling title race. When youngster McCowan started in a pivotal 3-1 win v TheRangers (May 2026), it showed Oxlade-Chamberlain was not the solution.
However, in a season that saw every goal & point matter, in a very cutthroat three way challenge for the league title, every contribution mattered, and he fired Celtic to a 1-0 win v St Mirren in a lacklustre performance by the first team. He’d actually scored earlier but that first effort was ruled offside.
Celtic went on to win an incredible league and Scottish Cup double. Regardless of his limited impact, Oxlade-Chamberlain was respected for his efforts to an achievement that had seemed impossible just weeks earlier. He was given a late run-out in the Scottish Cup final v Dunfermline, a fitting & deserved way to end his Celtic spell.
When you look back at his record and his then circumstances, it is probably as much as you could have hoped he’d achieve with Celtic. Interestingly, Arsenal went on to win the league title in England for the first time in 26 years, so it could arguably said that he had played his part in league title achievements on both sides of thee border this season.
He did end up entangled in a headache NOT of his making. There was massive turmoil off-field with the support up in arms over mismanagement by the board over the club’s finances and the transfer debacles. It led to Celtic social media being blanket blocked out of official Celtic premises, but then LiverpoolFC fan media outlet The Anfield Wrap were granted access to Lennoxtown to interview Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. It was a bad look, and added friction between the support and the board, but it was nothing to do with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, but thankfully not held against him.
We wished him all the best going forward.
Post-Celtic
[….]
Quotes
“I’m ready. I’ve been training for three months at Arsenal and running around there and keeping up with those boys.”
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Feb 2026)
“He was straight away telling me, ‘I’ll get you in the car now and drive you up there myself!'”
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Feb 2026)
“When you see someone come in who’s played at a really high level for years, you can tell the little differences.”
Liam Scales on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Feb 2026)
“Tonight is a great start for me, but more importantly keeps our goals alive and keeps us going in the right direction.”
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after scoring a last-gasp winner on his debut for Celtic against Livingston (Feb 2026)
“He’s been a class player, there’s no question about it. He’s played for big teams and performed brilliantly so I’m just really delighted to have him and getting him onto the field as well too. He turns the game for us which is brilliant. It was a great strike and I was right behind it when I saw it. The minute it left his foot, I thought, ‘this is in’.”
Martin O’Neill
Playing Career
| APPEARANCES (subs) |
LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 2025-26 | 5 (4) | 0 (3) | – | 5 (7) | |
| Goals | 2 | 0 | – | – | 2 |
Honours with Celtic
(Honours are marked below in which the player has played in at least one of the matches in the campaign.)
Scottish League
Scottish Cup
Pictures
Forums
Articles
Celtic ‘perfect fit’ as Oxlade-Chamberlain signs
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cevnvmpedj8o
Alex Oxlade-ChamberlainImage source, SNS
Published
7 February 2026
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says Celtic is the “perfect fit” for him after joining the Scottish champions on a deal to the summer.
The former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder has been a free agent since leaving Turkish side Besiktas in August, and has not played since May.
However, the 32-year-old understands the expectation on him as he looks forward to working under Martin O’Neill.
“Speaking with the manager, it just felt like the perfect fit for me and I feel like I can come in and help out the lads,” said Oxlade-Chamberlain.
“Just talking to the manager, he told me the expectations on the club and what it means to play here, what our targets are and that he’s going to push me.
“That’s all the stuff I identify with and that’s the environment I’ve always been in and been lucky enough to be in.
“It’s exactly what I need.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain, who scored seven times in 35 England appearances, has been training recently with Arsenal, where he won three FA Cups in six years.
“He still has so much to offer the game, and I am sure he can add another dimension to us with his great ability and wealth of experience in the game,” said O’Neill.
“Above all, he is passionate and excited about this move himself so we are welcoming a great player who is hungry to help us achieve as much as we can.”
Celtic ace names key trio helping him understand Parkhead history amid Liverpool and Arsenal comparisons
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-ace-names-key-trio-helping-him-understand-parkhead-history-amid-liverpool-and-arsenal-comparisons-6571470
By Graham Falk
Sports Writer
Published 11th Apr 2026, 22:30 BST
Celtic matchwinner ready to absorb club history book in order succeed
He may have been a serial trophy winner during spells at Liverpool and Arsenal, but Celtic matchwinner Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain admits little could have prepared him for the intensity of the Scottish Premiership title race.
The 32-year-old scored the only goal of the game in the east end of Glasgow as the defending champions edged out relegation-threatened St Mirren 1-0 to remain three points behind leaders Hearts at the top of the table. Martin O’Neill’s side are now up to second in the Scottish Premiership with rivals Rangers not playing until Sunday afternoon.
His second goal since his arrival, the experienced playmaker hadn’t played competitively for over six months upon his arrival in January, but feels like his match fitness is improving with each passing game and believes the team has what it takes to win their remaining games to retain their Scottish Premiership crown.
“We are still in the race, right up there,” said Oxlade-Chamberlain. “We just focus on ourselves. Every game we want to win. Then let the rest take care of itself. If you get side-tracked looking at others around you then it can affect you. We control our own performances and results. Even through periods where we’ve not picked up results we wanted, or performed well we are still in with a chance. We are not going to lie down.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain also lifted the lid on the history lessons he has been receiving from three of the club’s longest-serving stars since his arrival three months ago, confessing that his previous experiences across the border in the English Premier League aren’t comparable to the experience he’s had in the opening months of his Celtic career.
“First and foremost lads that have experience who have done it before, they’re the boys I look to,” said Oxlade-Chamberlain. “Callum [McGregor}, Jamsey [Forrest}, KT [Kieran Tierney], lads like that. Speaking to them, getting their experiences of different stadiums when we go away and what to expect. They are the boys who have been there and done that. It’s a great thing to have in the changing room. We have a lot of young lads as well that are just excited and looking forward to the challenge.
“The experienced boys here are so important,” said Oxlade-Chamberlain. “Coming to this club, with so much history, no matter what you have done in your career, you have to understand this club and how things are. You have to understand the history and I have the ultimate respect for these boys and I learn off them. I integrate with them and then help in any way I can.
“I learn off Cal [Callum McGregor] and how he does things, how he talks about games and what we need to expect. I take as much as I can from them and I have had to get up to speed quickly. It’s different up here. The derby was different but that was a great experience and those boys help prepare you for those situations. We have enough people in the building to get things done but every game is like a cup final at this point. All we can do is win them all and see where it leaves us.”
‘Big asset’ Oxlade-Chamberlain has immediate Celtic impact
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cp32nq7v3n5o
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain claps Celtic supporters after scoring the winner against LivingstonImage source, SNS
ByGeorge O’Neill
BBC Sport Scotland
Published
6 hours ago
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain only had 14 touches after being introduced for his Celtic debut as a 78th-minute substitute against Livingston on Wednesday.
However, one of them could have a telling influence on the Scottish Premiership title race.
The defending champions were on course to drop points against the division’s bottom club after missing chance after chance, with visiting goalkeeper Jerome Prior making nine saves in total.
But Oxlade-Chamberlain – who arrived on a free transfer on Saturday on a deal until the end of the season – whipped home his first Celtic goal in stoppage time to secure a 2-1 win, sparing blushes and narrowing the gap to Hearts at the top to six points.
It was not the finish of a man whose previous game of football was last May and has been without a club since being released by Besiktas in August.
Instead, it was a reminder of the quality that helped him win three FA Cups with Arsenal, the Champions League, Premier League and League Cup with Liverpool, while also establishing a regular spot in England’s midfield.
“It was a class goal from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain,” former Scotland midfielder Michael Stewart said on BBC Radio Scotland.
“Just a calm, composed, quality finish. What an impact he’s had already.”
Interim manager Martin O’Neil – who remains unbeaten in domestic competition across both his spells in charge this season – was delighted by his newest signing’s contribution.
“We didn’t look like we were going to get any reward at all and Alex scores this brilliant goal,” the Northern Irishman said.
“When it left his foot, I could see it going in and that was a real delight.
“He’s been a really fine player in his career, an excellent career. It’s just a matter of him getting up to speed and I think that will come. He’s naturally fit and hopefully he will be a big asset to us.
“He had a choice of a lot of teams. He’s decided to come up here and help us out. He’s done more than that, he’s got us three points on the board.”
‘I knew I still had a lot to give’
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain nets the winner on his Celtic debut
Oxlade-Chamberlain has been training with Arsenal in recent months and thanked the Premier League leaders for helping him to hit the ground running in Glasgow.
“It means a lot,” he said after his dramatic return to competitive action.
“I have to say a big thank you to everyone at Arsenal, giving me the chance to keep my fitness up, and an even bigger thanks to the manager here for giving me the chance to put on this kit and play for this amazing club.
“When you get those opportunities, you want to be able to pay back with moments of quality like that.
“It’s been difficult. Sometimes the way things go in football, especially when you cross that 30-years-of-age barrier, you’re not as valuable as you once were in a business sense.
“I knew I still had a lot to give and training every day for the last three months where I was training gave me the confidence that I can still offer a lot to the game.
“I’m delighted to be here and have the opportunity to do that and help these boys.”
The 32-year-old’s last-gasp goal takes Celtic within a point of Rangers – who drew 1-1 at Motherwell – in second and closer to Hearts, while O’Neill’s side carry that game in hand over both.
“Tonight is a great start for me, but more importantly keeps our goals alive and keeps us going in the right direction,” Oxlade-Chamberlain added.
He says he leapt at the chance to move to Parkhead, with a wee push from his dad.
“It’s an amazing opportunity. When it came up, I didn’t doubt it for one second,” he said.
“My dad’s from an era where this club means a lot. He was straight away telling me ‘I’ll get you in the car and drive you up there myself’.
“It’s a great start, but I know there’s a lot more to it than 13 minutes.”
Debut delight for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2026/february/12/debut-delight-for-alex-oxlade-chamberlain/
First Team
By Joe Sullivan
Share
12 Feb 2026, 1:36 pm
For the second game in a row, drivers of supporters’ buses parked all around the vicinity of Celtic Park were revving their engines in the expectation of a quick getaway with their passengers trudging back early and none too chuffed with the outcome of the match.
However, at the weekend, debut Bhoy, Junior Adamu’s last-gasp equaliser took the Scottish Cup tie against Dundee to extra-time and a Celtic win, while, last night against Livingston it was another debut Bhoy that took the honours with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s goal in time added on winning three points.
The English internationalist was delighted with his debut, and he couldn’t hide his feelings after his wondergoal sealed the game for the Hoops.
He said: “Those are the moments you dream of, playing at places like this and being able to impact on the game, help the team and create moments like that.
“It’s a dream start for me, and, more importantly, it helped us get the win.”
The three points were the most important thing, but on a personal level for Oxlade-Chamberlain, it means he is back doing what he enjoys most.
He added: “It means a lot. I have to say a big thank you to everyone at Arsenal for giving me the chance to keep my fitness up.
‘And an even bigger thank you to the manager here and this football club for giving me the chance to put on this kit and play for this amazing club.’
“When you get those opportunities, you want to be able to pay back with moments of quality like that.
“And yet, it’s been difficult and sometimes the way things go in football, especially when you cross that 30 years of age barrier, you’re maybe not as valuable as you once were in a business sense, but I always knew I still had a lot to give.
“And training every day for the last three months, that gave me the confidence in that sort of environment that I can still offer a lot to the game, and I’m absolutely delighted to be here, and have the opportunity to do that and help these boys.
“Tonight was a great start for me, but more importantly it keeps our goals alive and keeps us going in the right direction.”
“I’ve got a lot of hard work to do to catch up, learn a lot off these lads, learn the way they play and put myself in a position to be really able to help them going forward and they’ll be helping me as well.”
From the moment he crossed the line to make his debut, it took only 13 minutes for the ball to hit the back of the net after leaving his right foot to not only give Celtic the points, but possibly reignite his career after joining the Hoops
The midfielder said: “It gives me a chance, it’s an amazing opportunity. When it came up, I didn’t doubt it for one second.
“It’s just an amazing opportunity for me, it’s a great start, but I know there’s a lot more to it than just 13 minutes.
“I’ve got a lot of hard work to do to catch up, learn a lot off these lads, learn the way they play and put myself in a position to be really able to help them going forward and they’ll be helping me as well.”
Not long after the final whistle at Celtic Park, none other than Stephen Welsh hit an equaliser for Motherwell against Rangers to conclude a few minutes that changed the course of both games and the share of the points at both venues.
However, the new Bhoys said: “You can’t focus too much on everyone else.
‘The job is to win all the games. That’s what we need to be looking to do every time we step on the pitch.’
“That’s what this football club aspires to do every time we step over the white line, so obviously results like that might go for you, they might go against you, but we just need to focus on everything that we can control, and that’s our results.
“Getting games like that tonight, where we dominate a fair bit of the ball, I think we’ve got be a bit more clinical and a bit more commanding, and get a few more goals when we can.
“Credit to Livingston, I thought they possessed a threat, especially from set pieces. They defended really well and you can’t take anyone lightly, and I think that’s a good introduction for me to be able to see that early on.
“You’ve got to respect everyone and when chances come up you’ve got to take them and be clinical and that’s the only we were going to progress.”
“Reek of Hypocrisy” – Journalist Slams Celtic Over Latest Own Goal
“Reek of Hypocrisy” – Journalist Slams Celtic Over Latest Own Goal
By
Aaron Haire –
March 31, 2026
Journalist Mark Hendry has hit out at Celtic’s ongoing stance on fan media, branding the situation a “bad look” and accusing the club of hypocrisy.
This week has only poured fuel on the fire.
Liverpool fan media outlet The Anfield Wrap were granted access to Lennoxtown to interview Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
For many in the Celtic fan media space, the question is simple.
Why are outside platforms being welcomed in while established Celtic outlets remain locked out?
Writing in CeltsAreHere Extra Time on Tuesday, Hendry didn’t hold back in his weekly column.
He said: “Banning fan media has always been a bad look — another in a long list — for Celtic, and their invite to Liverpool’s group is a sad indictment of how far the fallout has gone.
“Celtic have promised numerous times the improvement of communication. But they’ve been severely lacking in that department for a while.
“The numerous rows won’t end in a day, we know that. But allowing fan media back in would be the first step towards rebuilding a mutual respect which could open further avenues for an improved relationship.
“After the Ox interview being greenlit, I can’t see any other outcome.
“Failure to do so, especially after another club’s fan media were shown that respect, would reek of hypocrisy.”
It’s a strong message and one that just shows growing discontent.
With tensions between the club and sections of the support already strained, the handling of fan media access is fast becoming another flashpoint Celtic can’t afford to ignore.
There’s no issue with the Anfield Wrap getting some access, but it’s Celtic allowing it while they lock out their own.