Brendan Rodgers has confirmed Nicholas Kuhn is on the verge of leaving Celtic in a €19 million move to Serie A side Como — with the winger already out of the picture as pre-season gets underway.
Kuhn wasn’t involved as Celtic opened their summer schedule with a 1-0 win over Queen’s Park, thanks to a first-half goal from Johnny Kenny. After the match, Rodgers spoke plainly about where things stand with the German.
“He wasn’t here tonight. We’ve virtually agreed between the club and Como so it looks at this point that he’ll be on his way, but we just have to wait for confirmation,” he told Celtsarehere post-match at lesser Hampden.
Kuhn’s time at Celtic may have been short, but it was anything but forgettable. He exploded onto the scene during the first half of last season, producing dazzling performances — including a standout showing against RB Leipzig at Parkhead and a brilliant goal at the Allianz Arena against Bayern Munich. For a spell, he looked untouchable.
But his season didn’t end quite as strongly as it started. The energy and creativity that defined his early months began to fade, and it became clear interest in the player was building. Rodgers didn’t shy away from that fact.
“I think it’s very clear, the model of Celtic. He’s come in and in the 18 months he’s done absolutely fantastic for us. He was aware of interest towards the end of last season and that sort of followed through.
“Other teams have joined in that interest over the summer and that’s why a lot of the young players come. It’s a wonderful, brilliant club to come to develop, and improve. And you can see within a short period of time, 18 months, he’s now getting the move that he wants.”
Kuhn’s departure is set to bring in a hefty return — and Rodgers sees it as another win for the club’s player development model.
“Yeah, and I think that is a part of our script here. Of course, we want to succeed but a lot of these players they come in with the notion that they can develop and improve.
“They’re at a brilliant club but they get the opportunity to go on and earn three or four times more in salary and that’s something that will always be a challenge for the likes of ourselves.
“But he’s done brilliant for us in the 18 months and if he does end up going and signing up a Como then it’s great business all round.”
There’s no bitterness in Rodgers’ tone — just realism. Kuhn shone, caught attention, and is now moving on. But with €19m incoming, the question now is how Celtic reinvest it. Their attacking options are very limited now and with a Champions League playoff at the end of August, they need to get moving.
“I think we’ll always look to improve the squad. There’s money there to bring players in. It’s just that we’re getting the right ones.”
Kuhn departs with memorable moments under his belt — goals on the biggest stage and flashes of real class. His move says as much about Celtic’s rising European reputation as it does about their ability to grow talent and sell high. Now it’s about what comes next.
