Kühn Shows His Pace in First Appearance for Como

Speed, quality and goals. That is how Cesc Fàbregas succinctly summed up what he expects Nicolas Kühn to bring to Como.

The German – who had already been on the Spaniard’s radar for a couple of years – showed all that and more during his time at Celtic, winning two league titles, starring in European nights and netting 21 goals across all competitions last season.

Now the 25-year-old winger is ready for a new challenge. And just as Fàbregas has shown his faith in Kuhn’s ability, his new signing has fully bought into his new head coach.

“I think it’s a big project here and being part of it is great,” said Kühn.

“I had a really good talk with Fàbregas. Actually before [joining] Celtic there was some contact already. So he has known me for a couple of years now and just told me that he really wanted to bring me here.

“In the end, it was one of the main reasons I decided to come here, because the project is really good. He convinced me and the style he wants to play, I think I will fit perfectly.”

Kühn’s excitement at his latest challenge is clear, and he got his first taste of action at the Sinigaglia Stadium during Wednesday’s 3-1 win over Al Ahli in the Como Cup.

A 45-minute run-out brought glimpses of what fans can expect, with his pace on show as he lined up with his new team-mates for the first time.

While exposing him to the new, the move has also helped him reconnect with what he knows. His former colleagues at Celtic are all in town for the Football on the Lake festival, but it is another set of familiar faces that are happiest to see him.

The distance between Scotland and Germany meant time with family was limited, but a move to Italy allows him to be closer to loved ones back in Germany.

Among those most pleased with the move, Kühn’s mum has made her feelings clear, turning up for his contract signing on the lake with his first ever pair of boots from when he was just four years old.

“I’m not sure what size they are,” he laughs. “I think it is a bigger thing for my mother. She always brings them. I think it’s a nice gesture. Whenever we have had a move, she has always bought them.

“Now it’s not as far as Scotland anymore. So it’s easy for them to just come here, drive here. So I will see them a lot more, I think.”

Time with family has allowed him a chance to explore the region a little and get accustomed to his new home.

There have been visits around Lombardy, and a chance to try local food – a welcome change of cuisine from his previous stay in Glasgow.

“It’s a really great place,” he says of Como. “I think there are not that many better places to live. And the food is incredible, I have to say.

“I think Italian food, of course, everyone knows it is one of the best, probably in the world. And [the food] in Scotland probably isn’t. So yeah, just a good place to be.

“The people in Scotland are great. I love them. It’s just the food could be better!”

It isn’t just the people in Scotland Kühn is saying goodbye to. For now, he has forgone European football, having excelled in the Champions League last year.

However, there is no doubt in his mind that he is joining a team chasing bigger dreams for themselves.

“I think at Celtic, we also wanted to play attacking football,” he says. “We scored a lot of goals, so that’s what we’re trying to do here as well. We have a really ambitious team and a really ambitious coach, so we’re really looking forward to the season.

“I think we have really good games here as well with big stadiums. Of course, Celtic Park is a special place as well – especially the European nights last year were incredible.

“But I think the team we have here and the style we want to play, we will have some great nights as well.”