CONFIRMED: NAWROCKI’S £2.5m EXIT

MAIK NAWROCKI has sealed his exit from Celtic to French side RC Lens for a fee believed to be in the region of £2.5milion.

The centre-back, who cost the Hoops £4.3million when he arrived from Legia Warsaw in the summer of 2023, spent last season on loan at Hannover 96.

The Bundesliga 2 outfit were eager to sign the German-born former Poland Under-21 international, but refused to meet Celtic’s asking price.

However, the Ligue 1 club, runners-up to Paris Saint-Germain last term, didn’t hesitate after Nawrocki had completed the formality of a medical and agreed terms.

FRENCH FANCY…Maik Nawrocki poses with his new RC Lens shirt.

Sporting director Jean-Louis Leca, speaking on the club website, said: “Maik is a tough, uncompromising defender who understands the demands of playing in a back three and fits perfectly into our style of play thanks to his comfort on the ball.

“He cuts an imposing figure and will bring both athletic power and aerial prowess to the team.

“At 25, he still has plenty of room for growth and we believe he will develop significantly here under a coaching staff that really values his profile.”

Nawrocki played a mere 20 games for the Parkhead club with his last competitive appearance coming in the emphatic 5-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie on May 14 2025, a win in which he scored the opening goal.

Nawrocki didn’t even make the squad for the Scottish Cup Final against the Dons 10 days later when the Hoops lost on penalty-kicks.

He is the fourth permanent exit from the champions this summer, following Luis Palma (Lech Poznan), Stephen Welsh (Swansea City) and Hayato Inamura (Tokyo FC).

Japanese striker Shin Yamada has already agreed a season-long loan at Belgian club OH Leuven while Norwegian midfielder Odin Holm, who spent last term at MLS outfit Los Angeles FC, agreed a deal with former club Valerenga until the turn of the year.