Jocelin Ta Bi has joined Sunderland after the latest links to Celtic.
Ta Bi’s Celtic move caused ructions amongst the support after the selling Israeli club had links to supporting genocide in Palestine.
The Ivorian winger has been linked to Celtic for a number of weeks and was widely expected to arrive at Paradise last week.
However, injury scuppered the move and now Fabrizio Romano has announced that Ta Bi has joined Sunderland in a strange announcement that confused Celtic supporters.
Fabrizio Romano reveals Sunderland hijack Celtic move for Jocelin Ta Bi
According to Romano, Celtic were on the cusp of signing Ta Bi, until Sunderland stepped in.
Romano said on X, “EXCLUSIVE: Sunderland agree deal to sign Ivorian winger Jocelin Ta Bi, here we go! Deal done for £3.5m fee, five year contract to the player as it’s all agreed.
“Celtic had verbal agreement in place but #SAFC hijack the move.”
🚨🔴⚪️ EXCLUSIVE: Sunderland agree deal to sign Ivorian winger Jocelin Ta Bi, here we go!
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 16, 2026
Deal done for £3.5m fee, five year contract to the player as it’s all agreed.
Celtic had verbal agreement in place but #SAFC hijack the move. pic.twitter.com/8nMHHMEi8f
Such a strange thing to claim considering Ta Bi was due to get surgery at some point in the coming weeks.
Celtic fans put Fabrizio Romano straight on Jocelin Ta Bi
Ta Bi will now ply his trade in the English Premier League as the Ivorian apparently ‘chose’ to join Sunderland instead of Celtic.
But Celtic fans reminded Romano of one big thing:
Was well reported Celtic pulled out of the move.
— CC (@4done6togo) January 16, 2026
@kieranx67 also sent the transfer guru a reminder and said, “Sunderland didn’t hijack the move Celtic pulled plug after he failed a medical.”
Celtic pulled out for 2 reasons. 1. He’s injured and required surgery (apparently) 2. Celtic fans have expressed their concerns on giving his club money due to their affiliation with the Israel military. Not hi jacked
— Jamie (@gibby_90) January 16, 2026
@Benidormcelt nailed the board and said, “There was no injury or we where too slow to get it done as per?”
@comandocelt was clear about Celtic’s stance, “Well reported that we had pulled out the deal. He needs surgery and the medical revealed this did it not?”
Taking a look at Ta Bi’s stats below, it’s probably just as well Celtic never signed Ta Bi, from a footballing point of view.
| Season | Competition | Club | Apps | Goals | Assists | Mins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOCELIN TA BI | PERFORMANCE DATA | ||||||
| 25/26 |
|
|
12 | 2 | 2 | 858′ |
| 24/25 |
|
|
27 | 5 | 3 | 1,926′ |
| 24/25 |
|
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 52′ |
| Total Career Stats: | 40 | 7 | 5 | 2,836′ | ||
It’s clear the Celtic fans’ stance. And looking at the backlash that this move could have caused, this is the best thing all round for all parties.
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