Sebastian Tounekti Profile, Stats and Career
Celtic's Norwegian-born Tunisian winger — Scottish Premiership champion, Europa League veteran, and World Cup squad member at just 23.
By
Muhammad Asad
Published June 2026Sebastian Tounekti is a 23-year-old Tunisian left winger playing for Celtic FC in the Scottish Premiership. Norwegian-born to a Tunisian father, he developed through Tromsø's youth football system before building a career across Bodø/Glimt, Groningen, Haugesund, Hammarby, and ultimately Celtic — winning the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup double with Celtic in 2025–26. He has represented Tunisia since 2021 and was selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad as one of the team's more technically accomplished wide forwards. This profile covers his age, Norwegian-Tunisian background, Celtic career, and international record.
Born in Tromsø, Norway, Tounekti came through Tromsdalen UIL before Bodø/Glimt signed him in 2020 — where he won the Eliteserien title. Loan spells at Groningen (2021–22) and Haugesund (2022–25, with a Ranheim loan) gave him Nordic and Dutch football experience before Hammarby in Sweden signed him in 2025. Celtic then acquired him in the summer of 2025, where he has been part of their dominant domestic campaign. He made his Tunisia debut in 2021 after previously representing Norway at youth level.
Quick Answer
Sebastian Tounekti is a professional left winger born on 13 July 2002 in Tromsø, Norway. He plays for Celtic FC in the Scottish Premiership and has represented Tunisia since 2021. Tounekti won the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup with Celtic in 2025–26. His market value is approximately £5 million. He was selected for Tunisia's 2026 FIFA World Cup squad at age 23.
Early Life and Background
Sebastian Tounekti was born on 13 July 2002 in Tromsø — a city in northern Norway above the Arctic Circle, known for its midnight sun, natural beauty, and as the gateway to the Norwegian Arctic. His Tunisian father and Norwegian roots gave him a dual cultural identity shaped by both North Africa and northern Europe.
He came through Tromsdalen UIL, a smaller club in the Tromsø area, before making his senior debut for the club on 30 September 2018 against Ullensaker/Kisa at age 16 — Tromsdalen won 3–0. His early exposure to senior football in Norway's lower divisions gave him competitive experience ahead of his age group.
Bodø/Glimt, Dutch football, and the path to Celtic
Bodø/Glimt signed him in March 2020, and he scored his first senior goal against Molde in October 2020 — winning the 2020 Eliteserien title in the same season. Loans to Groningen in the Eredivisie (2021–22) and a return to Haugesund gave him Dutch and Norwegian top-flight experience. Hammarby in Sweden's Allsvenskan (2025) preceded Celtic's signing in the summer of 2025.
At Celtic in 2025–26, he has made 15 Premiership appearances (835 minutes, 1 goal), 8 Europa League appearances (539 minutes), and contributed to the Scottish Cup and League Cup campaigns. Celtic won the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup double — Tounekti's first major European domestic trophies. His FotMob average rating of 6.96 in the Premiership reflects consistent contribution in one of Europe's most competitive domestic cup environments.
Sebastian Tounekti Personal Info and Profile
| Full name | Sebastian Tounekti |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 13 July 2002 |
| Age | 23 |
| Place of birth | Tromsø, Norway |
| Nationality | Tunisia |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in / 1.83 m |
| Weight | ~150 lbs / 68 kg |
| Position | Left Winger / Forward |
| Preferred foot | Right |
| Current club | Celtic FC |
| Jersey number | 23 |
Tounekti's combination of Norwegian physicality and Tunisian technical heritage has produced a versatile winger comfortable in both defensive and attacking phases. His Celtic experience — Europa League football, a Premiership title — gives him the kind of competitive seasoning that younger players in Tunisia's squad are still acquiring.
Transfer News and Market Value
Sebastian Tounekti joined Celtic in the summer of 2025. His market value is estimated at approximately £5 million / €5.9 million. No significant transfer interest has been publicly reported — Celtic are expected to retain him given his Premiership title contribution.
Celtic's signing was likely driven by his Hammarby performances in the Allsvenskan and his Tunisia international profile. The move to Glasgow has given him UEFA Europa League competition alongside domestic football.
Post-World Cup, with Celtic's continued European ambitions and his age (23), Tounekti is well-positioned to remain at the club through a sustained productive period. European clubs scouting Celtic's Europa League matches would have noted his performances.
His market value of £5 million reflects a player who has added significant competitive experience at Celtic compared to his earlier career phases.
Salary and Net Worth
Tounekti's salary at Celtic is estimated between £15,000 and £25,000 per week, consistent with a developing squad player at a Scottish Premiership champion.
His Hammarby Allsvenskan salary (2025) would have been in the Swedish league range — estimated at $8,000–15,000 per month.
Earlier career years at Bodø/Glimt, Groningen, and Haugesund paid competitive Nordic and Dutch professional wages.
Tunisia World Cup distribution provides a financial supplement during the tournament.
Total career earnings are estimated at approximately $2–4 million USD across Norway, Netherlands, Sweden, and Scotland.
His Celtic profile and Europa League appearances are increasing his commercial visibility. The Scottish Premiership's television exposure reaches a broad international audience.
Estimated net worth is approximately $1–2 million USD. His Celtic platform and World Cup selection place him on a strongly ascending financial trajectory.
Sebastian Tounekti Club Career
Tounekti made his first senior appearance for Tromsdalen in September 2018 and joined Bodø/Glimt in 2020, winning the Eliteserien title in his debut season. Loans to Groningen (2021–22) gave him Eredivisie exposure before Haugesund offered him a longer run of senior Norwegian top-flight football from 2022.
Hammarby in Sweden's Allsvenskan (2025) was a sideways step that maintained his competitive level and produced the performances Celtic noticed. His Celtic signing in 2025 placed him at one of Scotland's most successful clubs competing in European football.
In 2025–26 at Celtic, his 15 Premiership starts (1 goal, 1 assist), 8 Europa League appearances, and contributions to cup campaigns across a double-winning season are the most significant club achievements of his career.
His Tunisia international record — debut in 2021, AFCON 2025 participation (3 appearances), World Cup qualifying involvement, and final squad selection in 2026 — reflects a player who has maintained consistent international recognition across five years of varied club football.
Club Career Stats
| Period | Club | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–2020 | Tromsdalen UIL | 25+ | 2 |
| 2020–2022 | Bodø/Glimt + Groningen loan | 50+ | 5 |
| 2022–2025 | Haugesund + Ranheim loan | 90+ | 15 |
| 2025 | Hammarby IF | 20+ | 4 |
| 2025–present | Celtic FC | 30+ | 2 |
Celtic 2025–26 season
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scottish Premiership | 15 | 2 | 1 |
| UEFA Europa League | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Scottish Cup / League Cup | 7 | 3 | 0 |
International Career
Sebastian Tounekti made his senior Tunisia debut in 2021 after previously representing Norway at youth level (U15, U17, U19). He committed to Tunisia at senior level and has been a regular squad option since. He appeared at AFCON 2025 (3 matches), in World Cup qualifying (2 appearances), and was named in the final 26-man World Cup squad in 2026.
His transition from Norway youth international to Tunisia senior international was driven by his desire to represent his Tunisian heritage at the highest level — a theme shared with several members of Tunisia's 2026 squad who were born and developed outside Tunisia.
At 23, the 2026 World Cup is Tounekti's first FIFA World Cup. His Celtic experience — Europa League football and a Premiership title — gives him a competitive environment reference point above most players in Tunisia's squad who compete in domestic African leagues.
| National team | Caps | Goals | Tournament involvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norway U15/U17/U19 | Various | 0 | Before allegiance switch |
| Tunisia | 10+ | 0 | AFCON 2025; WC Qualifying 2026; 2026 FIFA World Cup |
Honours and Trophies
| Trophy | Times Won | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Scottish Premiership | 1 | 2025–26 (Celtic) |
| Scottish Cup | 1 | 2025–26 (Celtic) |
| Eliteserien | 1 | 2020 (Bodø/Glimt) |
Playing Style and Key Strengths
Sebastian Tounekti is a right-footed left winger who combines directness, good close control, and the ability to beat defenders in one-on-one situations. His Celtic experience has added tactical discipline to his natural attacking instincts — European football demands greater positional awareness than Nordic domestic leagues, and his development at Celtic reflects that.
His strongest qualities are his direct running from the left, his willingness to attempt one-on-one challenges, and his technical confidence in tight spaces. His cup campaign performances at Celtic — 3 goals in 7 cup appearances — suggest he produces his best football in high-stakes knockout matches rather than routine league games.
From Tromsø to Celtic Park to the World Cup
Tounekti's journey from the Arctic north of Norway through Dutch and Scandinavian football to Celtic Park and now the 2026 FIFA World Cup represents one of the broader geographic and cultural arcs in this tournament. A Norwegian Arctic upbringing, a Tunisian heart, and a Scottish Premiership title combined in the career of a 23-year-old whose best years are still ahead of him.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Sebastian Tounekti's career from Tromsdalen UIL through Norwegian, Dutch, Swedish, and Scottish football to Tunisia's 2026 World Cup squad reflects a player who has consistently found ways to move upward through different football environments. His Celtic double-winning season is the peak of his club career to date.
The 2026 World Cup gives him the chance to deliver on an international stage the kind of performances he has produced for Celtic in Europe. At 23, his career is in its most productive phase — and the tournament could be the moment that elevates Sebastian Tounekti from a promising Celtic wide forward to one of the most recognised names in Tunisian football.
