Ajax, Bayern Munich, and RB Leipzig are three Champions League-level clubs featured on Nicolas Kuhn’s resume before joining Celtic.
Now, he’s eager to prove why Celtic brought him in. While the Hoops winger didn’t break into the first teams in Holland or Germany, his time in Amsterdam, Munich, and Leipzig exposed him to the game’s elite level. This is why Kuhn is excited about the opportunity to play Champions League football at Parkhead this season.
Now a key player under Brendan Rodgers, the 24-year-old believes his career is poised to soar. Strong European performances could also put him in contention for a spot in Germany’s national team alongside stars like Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, and Leroy Sane. After spending his early years at three major clubs, Kuhn is determined to show why he belonged there.
He played and excelled in the UEFA Youth League with his former clubs, but he understands it won’t match the intensity of the real thing with the Hoops.
Kuhn, who joined from Rapid Vienna in January, stated: “I can’t wait for the Champions League – that’s one of the reasons why I came to Celtic. I’m looking forward to the draw to see who we get in the tournament. I always loved playing in the youth Champions League. It was great to challenge myself against teams from different countries, and I had some nice experiences.”
“We traveled to different cities to play against top sides. I remember scoring a very good goal for Leipzig against FC Porto. I would like one of them in the Champions League this year – or maybe two! I enjoyed it, I did well in it – but now I can’t wait to experience the real Champions League. Playing against Manchester City and Chelsea in America this summer also gave me a taste of what to expect against top-quality opposition like that.”
“When I was at Ajax back in 2019, they had an unbelievable year, reaching the semi-final. It was a great team who came so close to reaching the final. As a young player it was a good experience to see all of the senior players and how they worked. Erik ten Hag was the manager, Marc Overmars was there, and Michael Reiziger was my coach in the second team. So, it was good to learn and pick up tips. Ajax always have a strong youth academy so it was the right place for me back then.”
At that time, Kuhn was considered one of Germany’s brightest young talents, earning the prestigious Fritz Walter Medal. This special prize is awarded to the country’s top-rated young player, with recent winners including Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz.
That recognition earned him a move to the Allianz Arena, where he struggled to break into Bayern’s star-studded lineup. However, now that he’s at Celtic and gearing up for the Champions League, he’s confident he can attract the attention of German national team manager Julian Nagelsmann.
Kuhn said: “That award is a really big thing in Germany. I was very proud and honoured to be chosen for the medal in 2019. I didn’t see it as added pressure on me. I just viewed it as recognition for what I had done at youth level.”
“It was big for me back then – but now I want to show why I won the award. And I still have ambitions to play for Germany alongside those other guys. When I joined Celtics, I wanted to play in the Champions League. After that, my ambition is the national team. I played for all the Germany age groups, from Under-15 up to Under-20. And I was always one of the leaders in the teams.”
“I was captain at times, and of course, I want to show that on the big stage, too, one day. Every career takes a different path, but right now, I’m on a good road, and I want it to continue. I remember Reiziger speaking to us about our careers at Ajax. He gathered us all together one day and said, ‘You will all be professionals but it depends on you where you are going to land.’ I’m at Celtic now, and I’m really enjoying it.”
Nicolas Kuhn Aims for Another Strong Performance in Premier Sports Cup After Impressive Display Against Hibs
After a strong performance against Hibs in the Premiership last weekend, Kuhn aims to deliver another standout showing against the Edinburgh side in today’s Premier Sports Cup. At Easter Road, the combination of Kuhn on one wing and veteran James Forrest on the other proved too much for David Gray’s team, leading to the opening goal.
Kuhn scored an early goal to set the tone, and Callum McGregor added a second in a 2-0 victory. Kuhn remarked: “James is an excellent player, and I’m eager to learn from him. He’s been with Celtic for a long time, so having someone like him around is great for a new player like me. James has won everything with Celtic, and his quality and experience are evident. Last week, he quickly got on the ball and crossed it for my goal.”
“I’m so happy to be playing with him. We are all feeling good, and we are ready for the cup game. Personally, I’m feeling confident and we want another good performance. We have to bring the same energy on the pitch as we did last time against Hibs. But this is a different game. It’s a cup tie, a one-off game, and we have to get through. We are prepared for that.”
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