Jonjoe Kenny to Celtic an ideal move for all parties [Opinion]

Celtic have completed the signing of Everton academy product Jonjoe Kenny after advanced negotiations with Burnley broke down – and the deal is a masterstroke from the Toffees.

The 23-year-old makes the switch to Neil Lennon’s side after failing to make a meaningful impact under Carlo Ancelotti at Goodison Park. The right-back has been restricted to just eight appearances this season, only half of which were in the Premier League.

Celtic were in the market for a new right-back after selling Dutch prospect Jeremie Frimpong to Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen for £11.5m, making Kenny an ideal and affordable replacement for the Hoops.

Having played second fiddle to both Mason Holgate and club captain Seamus Coleman at Everton, the initial six-month loan for Kenny offers a fresh start. Celtic are receiving a robust defender with plenty to offer and a well-documented professionalism and hunger.

Former Celtic defender Alan Stubbs, who was crucial in developing Kenny through Everton’s youth academy, raved over the 23-year-old’s character, saying [via The Scotsman]:

He is a brilliant lad, an absolute diamond.

I just can’t speak highly enough of him as a person. He is so enthusiastic, so infectious. I loved coaching him, and would go as far as to say he is probably the player that gave me greater enjoyment than any other in my time at Everton.

He brought it all, every day. He had such a zeal for playing and training. If a session was going off track, he would be the one who would say ‘come on, we need to switch on here’ and bring people on-side with a winning smile and just a great way about him.

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Celtic should be happy with this piece of business, but Everton will likely be just as delighted to have loaned out Kenny.

Director of Football Marcel Brands outlined that the focus of this window’s business for the Toffees was likely to revolve around departures rather than incomings. With Kenny leaving Goodison Park, a simple loan gives Everton a chance to put their asset in the shop window whilst getting his wages off their books.

When the buying club, selling club and the player are all set to benefit immensely from such a move, there is little room to declare this loan deal as anything other than a triumph.