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Celtic signing lifts lid on moment 28.8m people found out about transfer to the 'big stage' New arrival learned trade in German lower leagues against ‘big guys, many in fights’ New Celtic midfielder Mika Baur was sitting having lunch with his girlfriend Emma when his phone began lighting up with notifications. Although not necessarily unusual, the fact this activity was caused by news of his own transfer seems exceptional. Online transfer guru Fabrizio Romano had broken the news on X and Instagram. Baur received the “Here we go” treatment for Romano’s 28.8 million followers (yes, really). “My phone just started ringing all the time,” recalled Baur. The midfielder was not entirely oblivious to the prospect of his own transfer from German side Paderborn. “The first call or at least meeting was a couple of weeks before," he explained. "But it was not like, ‘ok, it will definitely happen’.” Romano’s announcement removed all doubt. Baur was heading to Celtic Park. He is line to make his debut at Dundee United in the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup this weekend. Although physically slight, Baur has been toughened up by his experience in the German lower tiers. “I was 17 when I had my first experience in the third division,” he explained. “I'm not quite sure, maybe over 80 or 90 matches. “It's a really tough league too. Big guys, many in fights. It's part of the game and helps you to develop in terms of the physical side." "I think it was good for me to play there," he added. "It really was the first step, then the second division, and now the big stage!” He helped Paderborn secure promotion to the Bundesliga last season after a play-off victory against Wolfsburg, winning the club's player of the year award. He joined them two years earlier from SC Freiburg, Motherwell’s next opponents in the Conference League play-offs, and from where he was also sent on loan to Dynamo Dresden in 3.Liga. Now 22, he is ready to make the great leap forward for his career and hopes to sample Champions League nights as soon as this Autumn. “I've never experienced something like that before,” he said. His arrival is timely given the departure of Belgian midfielder Arne Engels to West Ham United and the imminence of next week's Celtic’s Champions League play-off against Austrian side LASK. Former Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn has told his compatriot all about European nights at Parkhead. Now at Como, Kuhn was effusive about his short but successful experience at Celtic. “He said that everyone is so nice, everyone is helping you to feel comfortable,” said Baur. “Here in the club, everyone wants you to feel good, to feel happy, and also wants your family (to feel good).” Baur says his family includes his dog Kal, who will join him and his girlfriend in Glasgow as soon as they secure a permanent house. “Our little dog is like a child at the moment,” he said. Feeling the comforts of home will be important as Baur sets his sights on making his name with Celtic. Coach Mark Fotheringham, who can speak German following his playing and coaching stints in Germany, has taken him under his wing. Baur – whose father Markus is a German handball champion with 228 caps to his name - is also hopeful about catching the eye of new Germany manager Jurgen Klopp. He remains eligible for the Under 21-side, where he has been a regular. He describes himself as either a “six or an eight” when it comes to midfield deployment. “I want the ball at my feet, I want to create something,” Baur said. Celtic fans will have similar ambitions for a player primed for the big time. Comments Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.