Benjamin Nygren – “His left foot is fantastic and he can score goals and assist”

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The Celtic Star

·27 de junio de 2025

Benjamin Nygren – “His left foot is fantastic and he can score goals and assist”

Benjamin Nygren has today followed Kieran Tierney and Ross Doohan by becoming Celtic’s third summer signing of the transfer window, and I guess the first ‘new’ signing of the transfer window perhaps.

Celtic’s new signing Benjamin Nygren in the Hoops. Photo Celtic FC

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And, as we brought to you earlier on The Celtic Star, Brendan Rodgers, seems very happy with his new purchase, signed just in time for pre-season.

“We’re delighted to have brought Benjamin to Celtic, and we’re all looking forward to working with him,” the Celtic manager said. “He’s an exciting, quality player who will add to our attacking options in the squad.

“He’s a young player who’s already gained plenty of experience at club level, while his impressive performances last season also saw him gain his first caps for Sweden.

Celtic’s new signing Benjamin Nygren in the Hoops. Photo Celtic FC

“Joining Celtic is the next step up in his career, and having spoken to him, he’s delighted to be here and is ready to take on the exciting challenges ahead at home and in Europe. He’s a player that I’m sure our supporters will enjoy watching and it’s great to have him as part of our squad.”

The player himself, speaking to Celtic TV, has admitted to looking forward to his move to Celtic and has also commented on his style of play and preferred position. And it looks from early indications that may well be as an attacking midfield role, so perhaps he’s not the Nicolas Kuhn replacement, time will tell on that one.

“I feel amazing to have signed for Celtic, it’s so nice to be here,” Celtic’s new Bhoy said. “I’ve been looking forward to this so much.”

“I’m a player who wants to create a lot of chances and go towards goal,” he said. “I’m a link between the defence and the offence and I can run a lot. I’m an offensive-minded player but I also work hard and try to do my best in all parts of the game.

“I’m a very competitive person and this is something that I love about Celtic. It’s a huge club and I love that. And, also, the winning mentality. I want to be with similar-minded people who also love to win.

“I had my breakthrough when I was very young, so even though I’m 23 years old, I have played over 200 games. I have a lot of experience and that’s what I want to bring.”

Benjamin Nygren and Alexander Bernhardsson of Sweden during the International Friendly, Länderspiel, Nationalmannschaft football match between Hungary and Sweden on June 6, 2025 in Budapest. Photo: Joel Marklund

It is always good to get a feel for what sort of player Benjamin Nygren was prior to signing for Celtic, so here’s what his coach Poya Asbaghi (then-Goteborg head coach) thought about a fledgling Nygren when he was just 17 years old, and it appears, it’s not Benjamin, or Benji, for short, it’s Benja.

Here’s Poya’s thoughts on a young Nygren’s maturity and ability to handle pressure…

“He is much further along than the guys I have met his age… When he hasn’t scored two goals after two training matches, people start to wonder, ‘What’s going on with Benja?’ But he’s 17 years old… Nygren is good at handling pressure – but he also has to have a coach who comes to him and says that the pressure is disproportionate if it is.”

Meanwhile Nygren’s sporting Director at IFK Gothenburg, Mats Gren also comments on where he sees Benja’s best position as being and it appears as a No10, but it is also clear there is attacking versatility in his game.

Gren points out Nygren can play as a right winger or even as a centre forward. Which, alongside Daizen Maeda’s versatility on the opposite wing, and through the middle, may make it pretty difficult for opposition managers to formulate a gameplan for next season’s Celtic team.

“Benjamin always had a really nice touch on the ball and great skills… When someone that young begins to play regularly then of course there is a lot of interest in them from around Europe.

“When Benjamin plays on the right wing or as a No 9, he can be effective. However, he is best as a No 10. That is where all his qualities can be on show… His left foot is fantastic and he can score goals and assist. His final ball is always very good… he has very good vision and passing.”

Benjamin Nygren of Sweden in reaction during the friendly match between Hungary and Sweden at Puskas Arena on June 6, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)

And we’ll leave the last word on Benjamin Nygren’s signing for Celtic, for the time being at least, to a Celtic legend who knows what it takes to win silverware and Swedish international caps as a Celtic player with former Celt Johan Mjallby, saying he believes Nygren will be able to fulfil his top level European ambitions by joining the Hoops.

“Benjamin Nygren can fulfil his Champions League dream at Celtic… Playing for Celtic in the Champions League is something special. Nygren will know that Celtic will play to a 60,000 packed house every time they play at home… Surely he knows all about that.”

Well, you’d assume Benja does know all about those Champions League nights under the lights at Celtic Park, and if he doesn’t, it will now only be a matter of weeks until he gets to experience it for himself.

Niall J

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