Paulo Bernado
The club were delighted to welcome Paulo Bernardo back to Paradise on 1 August 2024, as he arrived on a permanent transfer from Benfica in a five-year deal.
The Portuguese midfielder enjoyed a successful season on loan at Celtic Park during the 2023/24 campaign, making 33 appearances for the Hoops and helping Brendan Rodgers’ side to a league and Scottish Cup double.
He scored four goals, including a stunning strike in a 2-1 Glasgow derby win at the end of December 2023.
He also played a pivotal role in the 2024 Scottish Cup final victory at Hampden, driving forward from midfield in the last minute of the game and unleashing a shot from the edge of the box, with Adam Idah slotting home the rebound.
Bernado had initially joined Celtic on a season long loan from Benfica in the 2023 summer transfer window.
After graduating from the Lisbon side’s academy, he made his first team debut in November 2021 against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League, a competition he has played five times in against other European giants Liverpool and Ajax.
Sent out on loan to Pacos de Ferreira for the second half of the 2022/23 season, Bernardo scored two goals in 13 appearances and left Benfica having made 26 appearances.
COUNTRY BHOY
Bernardo has been capped at every youth level for Portugal, most recently making his Under-21 debut in 2021.
