Maik Nawrocki leaves Celtic, joining Hannover 96 on a season loan deal

Maik Nawrocki’s signing was agreed before Brendan Rodgers return to Celtic was confirmed and the Celtic manager, coming in to replace Ange Postecoglou who had left for Tottenham, never really found a place for the £4.5m signing from Legia Warsaw.

Yet when called upon Nawrocki was always competent and certainly never let Celtic down, and he was also a firm fans favourite. But supporters don’t pick the team and unfortunately for Nawrocki he just has never been a player that Brendan Rodgers sees as fitting into his team.

In total Maik Nawrocki featured in just 18 matches for Celtic over two seasons, scoring one goal for the club, at the end of last season up at Pittodrie against Aberdeen. He now join the ambitious secod tier German side and the  Hannover 96 managing director has been full of praise Nawrocki after confirming the signing.

Marcus Mann said: “Maik is a central defender whose game is characterised by great clarity and composure. He anticipates very well, reads the game, and performs his defensive duties through good heading and high tackling skills.”

Maik Nawrocki was equally as enthusiastic about the move to Germany, saying: “I’m incredibly happy to be here and now part of the team. I think we have an exciting journey ahead of us with many new players and a new coach. We want to attack the coming season with renewed energy.”

Brendan Rodgers agreed to the loan deal as he is well aware that Nawrocki has to play football, to protect the Celtic investment if nothing else.

“He’s had a couple of years where he hasn’t quite got the games that he would have liked. So it’s important that he goes out and plays,” the Celtic manager said.

Hopefully Maik will make a massive contribution at Hannover 96 and they will take up the option next summer.

We certainly with Maik all the best. Never once did he moan about being continually overlooked by Brendan Rodgers and when called upon due to injuries he was always fit and ready to play, showing how professional he had been through two difficult seasons in the Celtic wilderness.

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