BENJAMIN NYGREN CELTIC’S NEW PLAYMAKER?
- BY LIAM CARRIGAN
- Jun 12
- 2 min read
I don’t like to indulge in idle speculation, but I have to admit that one name, linked with Celtic by multiple sources in the past 24 hours, that excites me is Benjamin Nygren.
The 23-year-old Swedish International is one of several wingers linked with Celtic in recent days. However, this is one that might have some legs, given both the profile of the player and his likely fee.
With Benjamin Nygren, Celtic Have a Chance to Pick Up a Genuine Playmaker for a Bargain Price
Unlike Scotland, where most players have season-long contracts, Nygren is only contracted to his current club, Danish Superliga side FC Nordsjælland until the end of the current calendar year.
So, in all likelihood, Nordsjaellland will look to offload the player this summer, lest they lose him for nothing in January.
Nygren possesses an interesting mix of footballing talents. Primarily a right-winger, despite being left-footed. He is comfortable on either flank and can also fulfil the playmaking “number 10” or “false 9” role favored by many modern formations.
A breakout star at the age of 17, Nygren already has a wealth of experience despite still being only 23.
As a youth, he played with Swedish side Utbynäs SK, before winning a move to IFK Gothenburg.
Then, still a teenager, his performances earned him a move to Belgian giants Genk.
Unfortunately, the move probably came a little too soon for the precocious 17 year old, and after making just a handful of appearances, he was loaned to Dutch side Heerenveen for 2 years.
Eredivisie also proved a tough task for the young playmaker. Despite a series of promising performances, he only managed 4 goals in 45 appearances.
However, he did well enough to earn a permanent move to his current club, where he really seems to have finally found his footing.
So far, he’s managed 25 goals in 87 games. Not bad for a team currently languishing in 5th place with one game to go in the season.
But here’s the best part. Thanks to his contract situation, Celtic could snap up Nygren for as little as 2 or 3 million pounds. No small change, to be sure, but an absolute bargain for a 23-year-old Swedish international with massive future potential.
Nygren has also showed he can do it in Europe, albeit not quite at the same level as Celtic are used to competing.
He managed 5 goals in 5 games for Nordsjaellland in the UEFA Conference League last season.
Again this is an incredible return for a player who isn’t even a striker and is playing for, with the greatest of respect, a very average team.
It remains to be seen if this move goes beyond the optimistic editorials stage, but I for one hope there’s something in this. I would love to see a player like Benjamin Nygren at Celtic.
