Brendan Rodgers has revealed that former Champions League winner Michael Essien gave Celtic a glowing recommendation of Benjamin Nygren ahead of the winger’s move to Glasgow.

The Swedish forward joined the Hoops last week after a spell at Nordsjælland reignited a career that had stalled following a high-profile move to Genk as a teenager.

Rodgers has been keen to add attacking depth to his squad, and the Celtic boss admitted that Essien’s input helped confirm the club’s interest in the 23-year-old.

Essien, now part of the coaching staff at Nordsjælland, spoke highly of Nygren’s development and character, giving Rodgers confidence that Celtic were signing a player ready to step up again.

He said: (Celtic TV), “Benjamin’s a guy that has really grown and developed.

“He’s been a really talented young player, made a move early in his career, didn’t quite work out, he’s gone back, and obviously at Norrköping he’s been doing really, really well.

“I was in contact with a friend of mine there who was a top midfield player, Michael Essien, and Michael works there, and he spoke really, really highly of Benjamin.”

Nygren joins a Celtic squad that will be expected to defend their Premiership crown and make a stronger showing in Europe, with the Champions League qualifiers looming large on the calendar.

The Swede is capable of playing across the front line, and his arrival provides further competition in the wide areas, especially with Jota out until next year and Nicolas Kühn continually linked with a move away this summer.

With the influence of a Champions League winner behind him and a manager known for improving young players, Nygren arrives at Lennoxtown with a chance to reignite the promise he once showed.

Celtic fans will hope the winger can follow the path of other Scandinavian signings who’ve flourished in Glasgow’s east end, and Essien’s endorsement might just be an early sign they’ve got this one right.