Celtic's Kasper Schmeichel announces retirement

Celtic keeper Kasper Schmeichel has announced his immediate retirement following a serious shoulder injury.

The Danish stopper revealed back in March that he “may have played his last game” following an injury that required two surgeries.

The injury occurred in extra time during Denmark’s Nations League quarter-final defeat by Portugal in March 2025, when he played on in discomfort as his side had used all their substitutes.

He then seemed to aggravate the issue during a Celtic Europa League defeat to Stuttgart in February, almost 11 months on.

“I didn’t realise how bad it was back in March”, he told Danish channel TV2. “It’s been a long process. When I landed on it in February, I could tell straight away that something was seriously wrong.

“I have consulted with various surgeons and experts regarding my shoulder, and they have told me that I should not expect to return to playing top-flight football.”

Having started his career at Manchester City, Kasper Schmeichel retires from international football with 120 caps for Denmark, representing his country at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and helping them reach the semi-finals of Euro 2020.

The goalkeeper made 39 appearances for Celtic this season and secured a second Scottish Premiership title during his two-year spell at Parkhead.

Before moving to Glasgow, Schmeichel spent a decade with Leicester City, where he was involved in the miraculous Premier League title win in 2015/16, and where he lifted the FA Cup in 2021.

The veteran goalkeeper, son of Manchester United great Peter Schmeichel, later had spells with OGC Nice and R.S.C. Anderlecht.

“I think everyone dreams of saying goodbye on the pitch, but you don’t always get what you want. I’ve had so many other things along the way, so football doesn’t owe me anything. I’ve had so many opportunities and things in my career. So many experiences.

“It’s hard to find specific moments in the more than 900 games I’ve played. Of course, it was huge to become a champion with Leicester, but getting the chance to play for Denmark in the finals, to captain Denmark in the finals.

“That’s what I dreamed about as a child. Those are probably the things that mean the most to me”, he added.