CELTIC have completed the signing of Kouassi Eboue from FC Krasnodar in Russia, subject to the successful granting of a visa.
A fee has been agreed with FC Krasnodar, as have personal terms with the player. Celtic have received the necessary governing body endorsement from the Scottish FA and subject to the visa being granted, Kouassi will join Celtic on a four-year contract. The fact that Celtic have officially announced the signing on the club’s website is indicative that the granting of a visa is in the bag.
The player had to leave the club’s winter training base in Dubai to fly to Russia so that he could enter the UK from Russia to satisfy entry requirements.
Celtic have also published an interview with the new signing which was conducted in Dubai. The 19 year old Ivory Coast midfielder travelled with his new teammates last week to Dubai but was unable to train before his work permit issues were resolved.
“I’m very happy to sign for Celtic because Celtic is a big, historic club. I had many options but I chose to come to Celtic because they have a good ambition and project here,” Kouassi said. “I want to move forward and progress and I think Celtic is a good club for me to do that. Celtic also have a good coach in Brendan Rodgers so he can help me to develop.”
Fellow countryman Kolo Toure appears to have been a factor in this exciting young player opting for a move to Glasgow.
Kouassi explained: “Kolo is a big man. When I was young I watched TV and supported him and now when I think I’ll play alongside him I’m really happy. When I knew he was here I asked about Celtic and I’m happy to be here with him. I will learn with him and Celtic has many good players so I will learn with them too. I knew of Moussa Dembele and Scott Sinclair and the captain, Scott Brown as well. I knew of Dedryck Boyata as well from when he played at Manchester City.”
Asked what message he has for the Celtic fans Kouassi had this to say:
“I want to say to the fans that I’m here, I’ve come to Celtic and I will give my best to be in the history of Celtic. I hope they will support and encourage me on the pitch and then they will be happy.
“I want to say thank you to my coaches, my agent and my big friend, Charles Amagbegnon, because they support me every time. My mum, my father, my brother support me every time too so I want to say thank you for their support and advice and my team at the academy in Abidjan.
“They are always behind me and part of me and always help me move forward. I say thank you to Krasnodar, FC Shirak and my coaches in Russia and the club president Sergey Galitsky and for all the people who gave me so much advice.”
Welcome to Celtic, Kouassi.
Read an in-depth, exclusive interview with Kouassi Eboue in next week’s Celtic View. On sale from Wednesday, January 18.
