Celtic have confirmed their second signing of the summer and it’s quite a big one as 35-year-old Ivorian defender Kolo Toure joins the Scottish Champions on a free transfer. The Ivorian’s contract with Liverpool expired last month and it’s a smart coup from the reigning Scottish champions.
Brendan Rodgers has been quite silent in the transfer market since taking charge at Parkhead this summer. Getting Moussa Dembele on a free transfer had been the only piece of business from the Northern Irishman so far this summer. Celtic had their troubles at the back last season courtesy to a sync of poor form and injury problems and the fans will be happy that Rodgers has finally reacted to their defensive lapses.
Kolo Toure is likely to partner Danish international Erik Sviatchenko on a weekly basis. Jozo Simunovic has struggled miserably with injuries after a strong start to his Celtic career after joining the Hoops last summer. On the other hand, Dedryck Boyata could never really hit it off at Parkhead. The least can be said on Efe Ambrose, the better it is.
Even at the dusk of his career, Toure is able to offer a lot to the Bhoys. The Ivorian comes with a wealth of experience having played 555 games combined for Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool. He was a key part of the Gunners squad who created history winning the League trophy in 2004 without losing a single game. The two-time Premier League winner is a seasoned winner and comes with a big presence in the dressing room.
To be a leader, you do not necessarily need an armband and Toure is an inborn leader. Rodgers looks definitely happy with the deal. “I brought Kolo into Liverpool to add that bit of experience and help to the centre-halves there at the time,” the Hoops boss said. “You saw from his impact there and in particular last season, he was a very important player for Jurgen Klopp towards the end of last season, playing in the Europa League final.”
Twitter reacted to the brilliant capture by Celtic. Here are some of the tweets on the big signing-
@celticfc All well and good, but does he support the Republican Movement?
— Paddy Brennan (@PaddyBrennan7) July 24, 2016
@celticfc yeve an extra “Kolo” in his chant there-made a balls of it already lads,yere not worthy of the man playing for ye
— Stephen O’Regan (@SteveOReganLFC) July 24, 2016
@celticfc pic.twitter.com/30JC6yAuBD
— Anthony Campbell (@antscampbell99) July 24, 2016
@celticfc announce yaya
— Ronan (@RONANH1888) July 24, 2016
@celticfc Clint Hill is better
— Fraser Hamilton (@FraserH24) July 24, 2016
@celticfc Clint Hill is better
— Fraser Hamilton (@FraserH24) July 24, 2016
@celticfc @HarryWhite777 @DavidYule what a signing #welcomekolo
— Robert Bannan_ (@Bannan89) July 24, 2016
@celticfc he is past it
— Lucas (@Hiwulaaa) July 24, 2016
