Toure returns to Parkhead to take up coaching role

Ex-celtic defender Kolo Toure has officially returned to the club as a member of the coaching staff.

The 36-year-old has decided to hang up his boots in order to take the role of technical assistant.

Toure, right, who had spells with Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool, spent one year at Celtic as a player, featuring 17 times as the club won the domestic treble and reached the group stages of a Champions League.

Manager brendan rodgers said: “This is great news that we are able to bring a man of Kolo’s experience into our coaching team. In eve- rything he does, he is quite simply a fantastic example to anyone.

“He has worked at the top of the game for so many years and he has all the qualities which any player of any age should aspire to. He is a fantastic role model for our younger players and someone who has a level of experience and knowledge which can only be invaluable to our established players.”

“We are delighted that we will benefit from this experience.” Toure added: “I couldn’t be happier to be back at this great club. This is a new chapter in my career, a new beginning. The football is over now. I can officially say I am retired from playing and now I am fully concentrating on coaching.”