Colby Donovan has committed his long-term future to Celtic after signing a new contract that runs until the summer of 2031. The 20-year-old right-back has been rewarded for a rapid rise from academy prospect to established first-team player and recent Scotland call-up.
Donovan is a product of Celtic’s youth academy and made his senior debut in August 2025, appearing as a late substitute in a 3-0 Premiership win over Livingston at Celtic Park. His first start followed the next month, when Celtic beat Kilmarnock 2-1 at Rugby Park.
He made 27 appearances last season - 15 starts and 12 from the bench - and played a part in Celtic’s dramatic final day title success. This season, he has already made 17 appearances, including 15 starts, establishing himself as a genuine first-team option at right-back.
Donovan’s progress at Celtic was recognised in September when new Scotland head coach Sébastien Pocognoli named him in his first senior squad for the Nations League fixtures against Slovenia, North Macedonia and Switzerland. He was one of seven uncapped players included.
The call-up came after Donovan had filled the right-back role during Alistair Johnston’s injury absence, with his form also earning praise from Celtic manager Martin O’Neill.
O’Neill welcomed the extension, speaking to the official club website, he said: “Colby extending his contract with the club is fantastic news for us. Although still a very young player, he has shown such maturity, strength and resilience. In fact, he has been exceptional for us.”
“He has come in when we needed him, given everything for our cause and shown what a quality player he is. He is a young man with a tremendous attitude and, with a recent international call-up as well, he has had a phenomenal few months.”
“I know the love Colby has for the club and I know what signing this deal means to him and his family. I am sure that he will continue to progress and enjoy a very big future in the game, and I am so pleased that he sees his long-term future at Celtic.”
Donovan said he was “over the moon” to sign the new deal, reflecting on how quickly his career has moved since breaking into the first team.
“As a young boy coming through at Celtic, you thrive to be a first-team player, and to think where I am now and where I was a year ago today, it’s been a rollercoaster,” he said. “I’ve loved every single minute, but it doesn’t stop now. I’m just going to keep kicking on.”
“You’ve got to have that belief as a young player coming through here at Celtic. You see all the signings that they bring in and it’s a top club, they expect to win every single week. So as a young player, it’s tough, but you always need to believe, and I know for certain when I was a kid, I knew I could come through and do it.”
He also paid tribute to the academy players who paved the way, naming Callum McGregor, James Forrest, Kieran Tierney and Anthony Ralston as influences.
“All the Academy boys that have come through have been brilliant. You see Callum and James, KT and Raldo. They’ve all been great servants of this club,” Donovan said. “I love taking bits out of their game. I was a young boy and I used to watch them growing up, and now I’m playing alongside them and I’m good mates with them. It’s just a dream come true.”