Celtic have announced Kolo Toure has rejoined the club as part of Brendan Rodgers’ coaching staff.
Toure had been spotted at Lennoxtown last month and this week. He’d also been seen during the warm-up before the Paris Saint-Germain Champions League clash
But the reason behind his sightings has been revealed, with the 36-year-old centre-back back at the side he served last season in 17 appearances.
Rodgers at the end of the last campaign revealed he wanted Toure as a coach.
But that bid looked to have hit the rocks when he was named a trainer for Ivory Coast’s Olympics squad.
Toure said: “I couldn’t be happier to be back at this great club. 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 expressed his delight at landing the former Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool star.
He said: “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.
“We are delighted that we will benefit from this experience and I know will make a real contribution to the club in this role.
Chief executive Peter Lawwell said: “We are delighted to welcome Kolo back to Celtic. I know he really enjoyed being part of our success last season and that he loves being part of the club.
“We are pleased that once again, is part of our team and we are sure he will add real value to Celtic as we aim for more success.”
oure added: “This is a new chapter in my career, a new beginning. The football is over now. I can officially say I am retired from playing and now I am fully concentrating on coaching.
“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.”
