KOLO TOURE has admitted he “couldn’t be happier” after returning to Celtic to join the club’s coaching staff as a technical assistant.
The Ivorian legend, 36, made 17 appearances for the Hoops last season before ending his playing career to focus on coaching.
Toure said: “This is a new chapter in my career, a new beginning. I can officially say I am retired from playing and now I am fully concentrating on coaching.”
The former Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City defender will now be “supporting on all first-team coaching matters” and using his knowledge to assist the champions at various youth levels.
After taking up a coaching role with the Ivory Coast international set-up in the summer, Toure is eagerly anticipating his coaching opportunity alongside Brendan Rodgers.
He said: “For me, there is no big change in terms of what I will be doing.
“I have always been the kind of player who tries to help those around me.
“Now I will try to give advice, help the young players and just guide them and pass on all the experience I have acquired during my career.
“I can learn so much from working with Brendan Rodgers. He is a top manager. I will be working with him and his staff very closely each day.
“He is one of the best young managers in the world right now.
“What he’s doing for Celtic is there for all to see. He’s doing amazingly right now.”
Rodgers added: “This is great news for Celtic that we are able to bring a man of Kolo’s experience into our coaching team.
“In everything he does, he is quite simply a fantastic example to anyone.
“He has worked at the top of the game for so many years and he has all the qualities which any player of any age should aspire to.
“He is a fantastic role model for our younger players and someone who has a level of experience and knowledge which can only be invaluable to our established players.”
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