Celtic will hope Vakoun Issouf Bayo does not follow Eboue Kouassi example

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Celtic have snapped up Ivorian striker Vakoun Issouf Bayo on a four-year deal from Dunajska Streda. As reported by The Herald, the goal-getter arrives for a fee in the region of £2 million.

Speaking to the Glasgow Evening Times this week, Brendan Rodgers spoke of his joy at the deal. He also suggested that Kole Toure played a role.

“He’s a good signing and it’s another forward player for us, which increases our options on the front-line for the second part of the season.

“He’s a young player that has scored goals, he’s broken into the Ivory Coast national team, Kolo knows him well, and he’s a player we can develop. I’m looking forward to working with him.”

– Brendan Rodgers on signing Vakoun Issouf Bayo

The 120-cap Ivory Coast international retired from football as a Celtic player in 2017 and immediately became the club’s technical assistant.

It is not the first time that Toure has played a role in the signing of a countryman. In January 2017, whilst Kolo was still a player at Parkhead, he helped lure Eboue Kouassi to Glasgow in a £2.8 million deal from Krasnodar.

“Kolo gave me some advice, the main thing was not to hesitate, just come to Celtic, it is a great club, it is a fantastic club.

“He told me they will look after you and make you progress, make you an even better player than you are at the moment.”

– Eboue Kouassi on joining Celtic

With all due respect to the midfielder, Celtic fans will hope Bayo is more of a hit.

Kouassi struggled to settle into a first-team role at Celtic. In the summer, he was told he could leave, as reported by the Daily Record. Celtic could not find a buyer for the player and he stuck around. This season, he featured just four times before a knee injury ended his season in October. It is fair to say he has not been a success for Celtic so far.

Bayo will be hoping to have a more positive and lasting impact on the Celtic first-team. If he does, then Kolo Toure will no doubt deserve some credit.