James Forrest set to end his career at Celtic after signing new one-year deal
The winger has signed a fresh one-year deal, extending his extraordinary Celtic career into its 26th year at the club.
Celtic have confirmed that James Forrest has signed a new one-year deal, ensuring the club legend will finish his playing career at Parkhead. The 34-year-old winger, Celtic’s longest-serving current player and most decorated in the modern era, is now set to enter a 26th year at the club.
Forrest joined Celtic’s Youth Academy at the age of nine and has spent the whole of his football life growing into one of the club’s true standard-bearers. He made his debut against Motherwell in May 2010, replacing Aiden McGeady, and announced himself with a goal just six minutes after coming on.
From that moment on, he became part of the fabric of the club rather than simply a talented winger passing through it, amassing 564 appearances, scoring 110 goals and providing112 assists, with his latest contribution coming in the Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Mirren.
Forrest’s legacy is already secure, and the numbers are staggering. He is Celtic’s most decorated player with 26 trophies, including 13 league titles, seven Scottish Cups and six League Cups.
That makes him more than a long-serving servant; it makes him a defining figure of the modern era. In a club built on history, it is rare for a player to become part of both the present and the legend so completely.
What has always set Forrest apart is that he has never looked like a ceremonial figure clinging on to sentiment alone. He has continued to contribute, scoring in every one of his 17 seasons at the club, including this campaign.
That is the mark of a player who has adapted, endured and stayed relevant across changing managers, systems and expectations. Not many modern footballers can claim that level of consistency at one club, especially at a club as demanding as Celtic.
Martin O’Neill’s desire for him to finish his career at Celtic captures the mood perfectly, but it also underlines the practical value Forrest still brings on the pitch. This is not nostalgia alone; it is Celtic recognising that a club legend still has a role to play.
Forrest’s career has been built the hard way, from the academy at nine to the first team, and from promise to permanence. He has delivered goals, medals, assists and countless moments that have mattered to Celtic supporters.
When his career ends, he will leave as one of the great one-club men in Celtic history. More than that, he will leave as proof that loyalty, class and sustained excellence can still define a football career.
A true Celtic legend is our James Forrest, a testament to what hard work, diligence and footballing loyalty can achieve through dedication to the cause. This is a wonderful tribute Andy, to a Celtic player who has made his mark at Parkhead, and shown astonishing adaptabilty and flexibility over all these years, and a variety of Celtic managers, and still be able to make a notable contribution to the club.
When the sun finally goes down on Jamsie's distinguished footballing career, he will be remembered fondly by all Celtic fans and connoisseurs of football everywhere.
Very few footballers across the globe have such a career, particularly at one club. There have been ups and downs along the way, but no one can question his professionalism, here's hoping he scores next season to top off his wonderful record breaking career.