For a player who has lifted the Premier League and Champions League at Liverpool, a free transfer to Celtic in February 2026 marks a sudden gear change. Yet for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, the move to Glasgow is a return to British football and a reset after a complicated stint in Turkey, with his engagement to Perrie Edwards blending professional reinvention with personal continuity.
Full name: Alexander Mark David Oxlade-Chamberlain ·
Date of birth: 15 August 1993 ·
Current club: Celtic FC (joined February 7, 2026) ·
Previous club: Liverpool FC (six seasons, multiple trophies) ·
Partner: Perrie Edwards (engaged 2022)
Quick snapshot
- Joined Celtic as a free agent on 7 February 2026 (ESPN) (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster))
- Contract with Besiktas terminated by mutual agreement in 2025 (Now Arsenal) (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster))
- Underwent a medical before signing for Celtic on 6 February 2026 (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster))
- Exact reasons behind the mutual Besiktas termination
- Whether Oxlade-Chamberlain and Edwards have children
- Specific health diagnosis for Perrie Edwards beyond anxiety
- Whether his Celtic deal will be extended beyond summer 2026
- After leaving Liverpool in 2023, he has taken shorter contracts (two years at Besiktas, then a short-term deal at Celtic) — a pattern of transitional moves rather than long-term commitments (Yahoo Sports (sports news aggregator))
- Celtic have an option to extend by a further year, per early reports (Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster))
Five key facts put his profile in perspective.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Age | 32 (as of 2026) |
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Nationality | English |
| Former clubs | Southampton, Arsenal, Liverpool, Besiktas |
| Position | Central or attacking midfielder |
| Joined Celtic | 7 February 2026 |
| Transfer fee (to Celtic) | Free transfer |
Are Perrie and Alex still together?
Four years after getting engaged: Instagram confirmation
The couple’s engagement was reported in 2022, but neither party has publicly addressed the status of their relationship in detail. Perrie Edwards, best known as a member of Little Mix, has continued to post on social media, and Oxlade-Chamberlain has been seen at her events. The BBC-related Facebook post linking his Besiktas termination to a desire to live with Edwards in the UK suggests the relationship remains strong (BBC MOTD Facebook (unofficial tie to broadcaster)).
Do they live together?
- Multiple reports indicate the couple shares a residence in London (The Sun (UK tabloid)). Given Edwards’ recording commitments in London and Oxlade-Chamberlain’s move to Glasgow, they are likely maintaining a long-distance arrangement during the season.
The couple appear to be together and living in London when the footballer is not on club duty. No official statement has confirmed either the engagement’s continuation or a split.
What this means: For fans following both their careers, the relationship seems stable but unconfirmed by direct statements — a classic celebrity media gap.
Did Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain get terminated for Besiktas contract?
Contract termination details
In 2025, Besiktas and Oxlade-Chamberlain agreed to terminate his contract by mutual consent (Now Arsenal (fan site)). The exact reasons were not officially disclosed, but media speculation pointed to a combination of injury history and the club’s financial restructuring. Yahoo Sports reported in September 2025 that he was still without a club after the termination (Yahoo Sports (sports news aggregator)).
Free agency and Celtic transfer
- After several months as a free agent, Celtic moved to sign him. On 5 February 2026, BBC Sport reported that the midfielder was close to a Celtic move (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster)). The next day, he underwent a medical, and on 7 February, the deal was officially announced (Sky Sports).
- ESPN confirmed he joined as a free agent on a short-term contract until the end of the season, with an option for a further year (ESPN (sports news outlet)).
The termination freed Oxlade-Chamberlain to choose his next club on his own terms, but it also meant a six-month gap in competitive football — a risk for a 32-year-old midfielder with a lengthy injury record.
The trade-off: A free transfer gave Celtic a low-risk signing with Champions League experience, while Oxlade-Chamberlain got a platform to rebuild his match fitness and prove his value for a longer deal.
What is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain doing now?
Current club: Celtic FC
Oxlade-Chamberlain signed for Celtic on 7 February 2026 as a free agent (ESPN (sports news outlet)). The deal runs until the end of the 2025/26 Scottish Premiership season, with an option for an additional year (Sky Sports). Former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill confirmed the move after fresh talks, saying, “Oxlade-Chamberlain will join Celtic” (Sky Sports video).
Role and performance stats
- He plays as a central or attacking midfielder. At the time of writing, he has not yet made his competitive debut for Celtic, having joined during the winter transfer window.
- His last competitive season was 2023/24 with Besiktas, where he helped the club win the Turkish Cup (Yahoo Sports (sports news aggregator)).
The pattern: After a prolific spell at Liverpool where he won the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s career has entered a phase of short-term projects — rebuilding form and proving he can still perform at a high level.
What is Perrie Edwards diagnosed with?
Health details (publicly known)
Perrie Edwards has publicly spoken about experiencing anxiety and health challenges, but she has not disclosed a specific medical diagnosis in verified interviews. The topic gained renewed attention after fans speculated about her health on social media. No tier-1 medical source has confirmed any diagnosis. Our research confidence on this point is low, so readers should treat any claims with caution.
What this means: Without official confirmation from Edwards or a medical institution, the question remains in the realm of personal privacy and tabloid speculation.
Why did Zayn Malik dump Perrie Edwards?
Breakup context and timeline
Zayn Malik and Perrie Edwards were engaged from 2013 until 2015, when Malik ended the relationship. Neither party has fully explained the breakup, though Malik later stated in interviews that he was ‘not good at relationships’ at the time. The split was widely covered in tabloids, but no official reason was ever given (The Sun (UK tabloid)). For readers interested in Oxlade-Chamberlain, this context is relevant only as background to his partner’s past.
The catch: The lack of a confirmed reason means any account remains hearsay. The more important takeaway for this article is that Edwards moved on from that relationship and now appears settled with Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Timeline: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s career and personal life
- 2011–2017: Played for Arsenal, winning the FA Cup (Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster))
- 2017–2023: Liverpool career; major trophies including Champions League (2019) and Premier League (2020) (Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster))
- 2023–2025: Played for Besiktas in Turkey (Yahoo Sports (sports news aggregator))
- January 2026: Contract terminated with Besiktas (Now Arsenal (fan site))
- February 7, 2026: Signed as free agent with Celtic FC (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster))
- 2022–present: Engaged to Perrie Edwards (The Sun (UK tabloid))
Clarity check: What we know for sure vs. what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- Celtic signed Oxlade-Chamberlain on 7 February 2026 (BBC Sport)
- His Besiktas contract was terminated by mutual agreement in 2025 (Now Arsenal)
- He was 32 at the time of signing (ESPN)
- He and Perrie Edwards have been engaged since 2022 (multiple media reports, low-tier confirmation)
What’s unclear / unconfirmed
- Exact reasons for Besiktas termination
- Whether they have children
- Perrie Edwards’ specific medical diagnosis
- Whether Celtic will exercise the one-year option
Key quotes
“Oxlade-Chamberlain will join Celtic.”
— Martin O’Neill, former Celtic manager, confirming the transfer after fresh talks (Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster))
“Celtic have completed the signing of free agent Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on a deal until the end of the season.”
— Celtic FC official statement, as reported by ESPN (ESPN)
For Celtic, the signing is a low-risk gamble with potential high reward. For Oxlade-Chamberlain, the stakes are personal: perform well enough in Scotland to earn a longer deal, or face another summer of uncertainty. The trade-off is clear: Glasgow offers a stage, but the clock is ticking for a player nearing the tail end of his prime.
footballtransfers.com, bbc.com, youtube.com, australiawatch.net
For a deeper look into his journey from Arsenal to Celtic and his relationship with Perrie Edwards, see Alex Oxlade-Chamberlains career and personal life.
Frequently asked questions
What position does Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain play?
He is a central or attacking midfielder, also capable of playing on the wing.
How many goals has Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored for Celtic?
As of February 2026, he has not yet made his competitive debut, so he has not scored for the club.
Did Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain win any trophies with Liverpool?
Yes — Premier League (2020), Champions League (2019), FA Cup (2022), and League Cup (2022). (BBC Sport)
What is the net worth of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain?
Exact figures are not confirmed by official sources. Estimates from fan sites vary between £20 million and £35 million, but no tier-1 source has verified this.
When did Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Perrie Edwards get engaged?
They reportedly became engaged in 2022, though neither has officially confirmed the date.
Is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain still playing professional football?
Yes — he is currently a player for Celtic FC in the Scottish Premiership, having signed in February 2026. (Sky Sports)
Where do Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Perrie Edwards live?
They are reported to share a residence in London when the footballer is not away with Celtic. (The Sun)
Related reading
Harry Thompson is Senior Reporter at PublicReport, covering breaking UK news and political stories across the country.