Celtic Football Club has finalized the signing of 22-year-old centre-back Maik Nawrocki from Legia Warsaw, marking a significant addition to their squad ahead of the new season.
The deal, reported to be worth £4.3 million, is subject to international clearance and has seen Nawrocki commit to a five-year contract, securing his place at Parkhead until the summer of 2028.
The Polish-German talent will don the No.17 shirt for the club, and he becomes the fifth signing secured by Celtic’s manager, Brendan Rodgers, during the summer transfer window.
This impressive recruitment follows the recent arrivals of South Korean duo Yang Hyun-jun and Kwon Hyeok-kyu, showcasing Rodgers’ determination to bolster the team’s ranks for the upcoming challenges.
Expressing his enthusiasm for joining Celtic, Nawrocki shared his thoughts with the club’s official website, stating, “It’s great for me to have joined Celtic, and I’m looking forward to meeting up with my new teammates and start training with them.”
The young defender acknowledged Celtic’s global reputation and their significance in Poland, given the club’s history of nurturing talented Polish players. Nawrocki expressed eagerness to play in front of Celtic’s passionate fanbase and experience the incredible atmosphere that surrounds the club.
🆕 New Bhoy Maik Nawrocki will wear the number 17!#WelcomeNawrocki🇵🇱🍀 pic.twitter.com/xQdkmSQFgj
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 26, 2023
Brendan Rodgers also shared his delight at the acquisition, describing Nawrocki as a highly-rated young player who will undoubtedly contribute to the squad’s success.
Rodgers revealed his familiarity with the defender, having closely observed Nawrocki’s performances for Legia Warsaw in the Europa League. The manager’s interest in the player was reciprocated, as Nawrocki was keen to make the move to Celtic and embark on this new chapter in his career.
The rising star started his football journey in Germany, coming through the youth system at Werder Bremen before making the move to Poland two years ago.
Initially, Nawrocki joined Warta Poznan on loan before signing a permanent deal with Legia Warsaw. During his time with the Polish club, he managed to secure four appearances for the Poland Under-21 team and impressed with five goals and four assists in 60 appearances across all competitions.
Nawrocki played a vital role in Legia’s success, notably helping them secure victory in the Polish Cup last season.