Maik Nawrocki seals Celtic loan exit as he ‘joins’ Hannover 96 with option to buy clause

Add as preferred source on Google

Maik Nawrocki has endured a difficult time at Celtic.

Brendan Rodgers signed the Polish defender in the summer of 2023 for £4.3m and big things were expected of the player as a result.

But his Hoops career has never taken flight, and that’s mainly been down to Rodgers preferring a left-footed central defender alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers at the back.

Nawrocki impressed in the defeat to Rangers in March when Rodgers was forced to play him, and he kept a clean sheet in the next game against Hearts.

Celtic fans feel Nawrocki has been treated unfairly, but understand it would be best for him to move on this summer.

Well, it appears a loan deal has been struck with a 2. Bundesliga club.

• READ MORE: Nicolas Kuhn’s Celtic exit details in full including Como fee, release clause, contract & medical date

Celtic’s Nawrocki on his way to Hannover 96

Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg is claiming that Nawrocki is about to seal a season-long loan switch to Hannover 96.

It is said the German side will hold the option to buy Nawrocki permanently at the end of the loan, with a medical already completed.

The final touches are now being finalised and Hannover or Celtic will be first to officially announce the switch soon.

Hannover finished 9th in 2. Bundesliga last season and have been one of the busiest clubs in Europe as far as the transfer window is concerned so far.

They have already signed 13 players for next season, with Nawrocki seemingly set to be their 14th addition. Clearly, they are building for promotion back to the Bundesliga.

Nawrocki’s Celtic stats in focus

For £4.3m, Celtic wasted plenty of money on Nawrocki. Across his two seasons at Celtic so far, he has played just 18 times and scored one goal.

Nawrocki appeared to be a competent defender, but there’s no doubt the Pole was itching to move away for more regular game time.

It means Brendan Rodgers will need to recruit another centre-back this summer, unless he keeps Stephen Welsh on the books as back-up.

Swedish central defender Gustaf Lagerbielke is set for a permanent transfer to Braga, with the fee understood to be £1.7m.