JEREMY TOLJAN appeared to be all of Celtic’s prayers answered when he signed on loan from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018. An attacking, German U21 coming from one of the Bundesliga’s top sides and a pedigree in German football – he ticked all the boxes. It was a loan deal with the promise that should he impress, a deal could be looked at if it suited the parties involved.
Toljan started playing games under Brendan Rodgers but Neil Lennon’s arrival resulted in Mikael Lustig being preferred in the right back berth. As a result, Toljan’s interest in Celtic wained. The German was only on a half season loan and could be forgiven for going through the motions when it became clear that he wasn’t going to be at Celtic Park the following season.
Now, the 25-year-old is being linked with a move to Serie A sides AS Roma and Sassuolo. Having spent this season on loan at Sassuolo, his performances have merited interest from clubs hoping to take him for next season. German newspaper Sport Bild are reporting that Roma are keen on signing the ex-Celt.
Toljan has made 23 appearances for Sassuolo and the club paid 2m euros as a loan fee for Toljan with an option to buy attached, believed to be around 5m euros. These harsh economic times may play a factor in whether they exercise the option to buy but with a contract until 2022, Dortmund will be keen to get rid of him.
In Glasgow, though, Toljan never hit the heights that the supporters expected of him. He was stupidly sent off away to Valencia as well as a few lacklustre performances, which confirmed that the club were probably not interested in making the move permanent.
Toljan did leave Glasgow with a Premiership winners medal as well as a Scottish Cup winners medal, despite being an unused sub in the final.
