19 hours ago
Celtic tick all the boxes for Benjamin Nygren as Sweden star outlines exactly what he wants at next club
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BENJAMIN NYGREN craves a big club with a huge support who fill a noisy stadium every week.
He wants to fight for trophies, play under pressure and get a crack at Champions League football.
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Benjamin Nygren speaking to WTV in Sweden
Credit: WTV
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He addressed his future in football
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He's closing in on a move to Celtic
Credit: Alamy
If only there was a club out there that could offer him all of that
Nygren didn't name Celtic as he spoke candidly about his ideal next step just two weeks ago.
But the Sweden star couldn't have dropped any bigger hints that the Hoops are the perfect club for him.
SunSport has unearthed a YouTube interview where Nygren outlined his wishes as he prepares to quit Nordsjaelland.
The 23-year-old would have been aware that Celtic were watching him closely as he talked on a Swedish channel.
And it appears the Hoops will tick every single box as he closes in on a £2million move to Parkhead.
Asked why he is ready to move on, Nygren said: 'I want to go to a bigger club.
'I want to play in the Champions League and I want to get as far as possible in my career.
'We have been in agreement for some time about me leaving in this window. I feel it's time.
'I want to go to a club that has extreme belief in me and has a clear plan for me.
The diggers move in as Celtic Park pitch is dug up
'But also a big club that plays in the best tournaments in Europe.
'At club level, the Champions League is the biggest competition you can play in.
'Nordsjaelland is a very family-orientated club and it can be quiet in the stands.
'That is good in a way maybe but I think it's a lot of fun when there are a lot of fans.
'It's more fun to play when it's a full stadium, where there are a lot of supporters and there is a lot of pressure.
'That is what I like the most.'
Nygren has been a revelation in Danish football for the last two years and is now a full Sweden cap.
He scored 16 goals for the Superliga side last season and already has two in just four appearaneces for the national team.
But he believes there is even more to come from him and wants to play under a manager who truly believes in him.
Benjamin Nygren's career
2013 (youth level) - 2019: IFK Goteborg - 15 games (six goals, five assists)
2019 - 2022: Genk - seven games (one goal)
2020 - 2022: Heerenveen (loan) - 51 games (seven goals, six assists)
2022 --: Nordsjaelland - 107 games (35 goals, eight assists)
Celtic gaffer Brendan Rodgers has a track record for developing players in his attacking midfield position.
Tom Rogic, Stuart Armstrong, Ryan Christie and Matt O'Riley all blossomed under his guidance at Parkhead.
Nygren could be the next to work with Rodgers and the versatile playmaker has vowed to keep working at his game.
He said: 'Being able to play in different positions is a strength for me.
'I know that I can contribute a lot to teams and also help make people get the best out of their own qualities.
'I believe in my abilities and I think I am good at creating chances and finishing when I get them myself.'
Nygren will always be grateful to Nordsjaelland for the way they helped revive his career after a £4m move to Genk in 2019 didn't work.
The Danish side offered him a platform to show his qualities again after being tipped as Sweden's next big thing as a kid.
Nygren has taken that chance and also given a lot back to Nordsjaelland, and captained the team last season.
Yet he admits he has now outgrown the club, who focus on developing talent as opposed to winning trophies.
He said: 'I would definitely say it's a good environment to develop.
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'We have a lot of young players.
'Generally, in the last ten games of the season, we had three or four 18-year-olds in the starting line-up.
'That's not very common so it's a platform to learn and develop.
'This is a club that has a lot of eyes on it, but which also maintains a very high level and is a top-five club in Denmark in principle every year.
'Nordsjaelland's highest goal is not to win the league, but to play with young talents to sell.
'It is a selling club and it becomes difficult to compete for the titles when you sell your best players all the time.
'But that doesn't affect my motivation. Wherever I play, even if nobody is watching, I want to win.'
Nygren also has an eye on next summer's World Cup after recently breaking into the Sweden squad.
Jon Dahl Tomasson's side face Switzerland, Kosovo and Slovenia in their qualifying group and are favourites to progress.
Nygren is desperate to stay in his national squad and playing at a high level in Europe for Celtic would boost his chances.
Speaking to Wenstrom Television, he said: 'The World Cup is the biggest thing there is.
'It is one of my highest goals to get there during my career.
'It was extremely fun to get into the Sweden squad and score my first goal.
'That is something I have been dreaming about for a long time.
'I have fought very hard each day to reach that level in my career.
'I felt I was getting closer and closer, and it fun to be called up and play for the national team.
'To make my debut and starting debut and score my first goal was a dream.'
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