Celtic confirm first deal of the summer transfer window

Celtic have confirmed their first deal of the summer transfer window as they go in search of a historic 10-in-a-row next season.

Things move fast in the world of football. Never has it been more evident as Celtic have clearly started their preparations for next season when they have the chance to win a historic 10th straight Scottish league title, something that has never been done before.

And while they have not signed anyone yet, the fact that they have managed to convince Genk to pay £1.3 million for Eboue Kouassi is an incredible feat in itself.

Kouassi joined Celtic back in 2017 during the reign of Brendan Rodgers as manager. He was thought to be a potential replacement for Scott Brown but failed to make any impact at the club.

In his time at the club, the Ivorian managed to make only 22 appearances for the club. Much of that is down to bad luck and injuries though. His debut was delayed after he managed to get malaria after joining the Hoops. Multiple injuries and the departure of Brendan Rodgers didn’t help either and he clearly had no future at Parkhead.

Kouassi joined Belgian side Genk on loan back in January but suffered an injury even there. And the shutdown of football due to the global pandemic has meant that he has played no further part for them on the pitch.

But even then he has clearly managed to make enough of an impression at the club for them to sign him on a permanent basis. Genk’s official website reported:

"KRC Genk lifted the option to mercenary Eboue Kouassi (22).The Ivorian midfielder is definitively taken over from Celtic Glasgow.Kouassi is now fixed until 2024.Due to a minor injury and the pandemic, he has only played in four games so far,but Kouassi was in the starting three games and completed the 90 minutes in the last two. He was able to convince everyone in the club of his qualities."

Celtic will be happy to recoup some of the £2.5 million that they had paid for Kouassi’s services back in 2017. That money might go a long way in the post-pandemic transfer market as the club prepare to challenge for a historic 10-in-a-row next season.