Kwon Hyeok-kyu has said goodbye to Celtic fans following his permanent move to Ligue 1 side Nantes, posting a heartfelt message on Instagram as he reflects on a short but meaningful stint in Glasgow.
The South Korean midfielder joined the Hoops last summer with high hopes but failed to make a competitive appearance for the first team. Despite the lack of minutes, Kwon made clear just how much the club meant to him.
He arrived in the summer of 2023, along with fellow countryman Yang. It wasn’t the most successful transfer window for Celtic, with plenty flopping. This summer has seen many of those failed signings make an exit as they try to get their careers back on track.
“Hi Celts, it’s time to say goodbye,” he wrote on Instagram. “I didn’t want to say goodbye like this, really sorry I didn’t help the team a lot. But I was proud to be a member of this team. I’ll always support this team anywhere. Good luck with this season. Glasgow will be green forever.”
Kwon signed a three-year deal with Nantes after his Celtic departure was finalised this week. Though his time at Parkhead didn’t unfold as planned, his message shows a genuine connection with the club and its supporters.
The midfielder had been close to joining Austria Vienna earlier in the summer before the French side stepped in.
Now, with a fresh start in Ligue 1, Kwon will look to restart his European career, but he leaves Celtic with nothing but respect and best wishes.
