Étienne Youte-Kinkoué fits the profile and would be a smart Celtic signing

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The Celtic Star

·8 July 2025

Étienne Youte-Kinkoué fits the profile and would be a smart Celtic signing

Another Celtic transfer rumour has surfaced, this time in the shape of French defender Étienne Youte-Kinkoué, as Just an Ordinary Bhoy reported last night on The Celtic Star.

Youte-Kinkoué

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As JAOB rightly said, this one might have to be taken with a pinch of salt for now. But with defensive rumours ramping up in recent days — and departures happening one after another — it’s at least somewhat reassuring that Celtic appear to be actively hunting for defensive reinforcements.

Cameron Carter-Vickers, has had a delayed start to the season following a summer cartilage clean-up. Maik Nawrocki is off to Hannover on loan in the German second tier with an option to buy. Gustaf Lagerbielke looks set for Portugal with Braga, and Stephen Welsh seems poised to turn his Mechelen loan into a permanent move.

All that leaves Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales, Auston Trusty and — fitness permitting — the long-absent but talented Dane Murray as the current central options. Brendan Rodgers has stated he’s keen to see Murray show up well over pre-season, and clearly sees potential in the 22-year-old who’s had more than his fair share of injury heartache.

So, it’s no surprise we’re being linked with names like Étienne Youte — but could the 22-year-old Parisian be the sort of defender who fits a Rodgers high line, and one who could actually contribute this season?

A product of the Inter Milan youth setup before making his senior mark with Ajaccion and Le Havre, Youte-Kinkoué is a 6’5″ (1.96 m) right sided centre-back who played over 2,300 minutes in Ligue 1 last season. Still only 23, he’s already logged regular top-flight experience in one of Europe’s physically demanding leagues.

He’s reportedly available for as little as £3.4 million — which, in modern terms, is a modest fee for a player with his blend of size, experience, and untapped upside.

Looking at his stats on FBref, and Fotmob, Youte-Kinkoué immediately stands out for his volume and effectiveness in classic defensive categories, such as clearances per 90: 6.26 — 98th percentile. Blocks per 90: 0.89 — 93rd percentile. Interceptions per 90: 1.21 — solidly in the 74th percentile. Dribbled past per 90: only 0.24 — 88th percentile.

In short, this is a player who gets in the way, doesn’t get turned easily, and keeps his positioning tidy.

That last stat is especially important. In a high line, defenders often find themselves exposed in one-on-one situations. To be dribbled past fewer than once every four games shows discipline and anticipation, two traits Rodgers won’t compromise on.

While not a ball-playing defender in the mould of van Dijk – who is – Youte isn’t a boot-it-and-hope merchant either. His passing accuracy hovers around 89%, and he averages 47 passes per 90, suggesting he’s involved in the build-up without slowing it down.

His progressive carries (29.7/90) and progressive passes (42.7/90) won’t win any YouTube compilations competitions — but they show a player willing to advance play, not just play it safe.

Rodgers, remember, values defenders who move the ball as much as defend it. And while Youte’s not elite in progression metrics (yet), there’s clearly a base to build from.

So, what of his suitability to play a high line? To play centre-half for a Brendan Rodgers side, you need to read danger early, and Youte’s block/interception stats show strong anticipation. His low dribble-past rate suggests he can recover and cover. However, his build from the back is very much a work-in-progress but is a solid base with 89% accuracy.

We should also be looking for a defender who stays calm under pressure and 6 yellows and a red last season hints at rawness, but it could be manageable, and of course we need someone who can deal with aerials. He’s big lad at 6’5″ but curiously wins under 1 aerial per 90. This could be a concern in Scotland where teams go long and play for second balls.

Overall, he looks more squad depth rather than a challenger for Carter-Vickers but at 23, there’s scope to develop him into that role.

The link to Étienne Youte-Kinkoué may still be on the fringes of the rumour mill — and as JAOB rightly noted, we’ve been here before — but the profile fits the need.

At £3.4 million, this is a player with physical tools, Ligue 1 experience, and a statistical footprint that suggests he’d complement the current squad — especially if Rodgers is looking to develop one or two centre-backs over the season rather than splashing out on the finished article.

Celtic need depth at the back. Real depth. And if Carter-Vickers is managed carefully early on, someone like Youte could step in, do a job, and grow into a Celtic jersey.

So, rumour or not — don’t be surprised if this one gathers momentum in the coming weeks.

Niall J

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