Former Hoops star suffers devastating injury blow weeks after leaving Celtic
· Yahoo Sports
Just weeks after leaving Celtic to join Racing Club de Lens, Maik Nawrocki has been ruled out for lengthy spell after suffering from a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament…
August 22, 2026, Lens, France, France: Maik NAWROCKI of Lens during the Ligue 1 match between RC Lens and AJ Auxerre at Bollaert-Delelis Stadium on August 22, 2026 in Lens, France. Lens France -Photo Matthieu Mirville IMAGO
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Former Celtic defender Maik Nawrocki has suffered a devastating injury blow just weeks after departing the Scottish champions to join top French Ligue one side Racing Club de Lens.
The Polish centre back has been ruled out for a significant period of time due to suffering a complete rupture of his anterior cruciate ligament.
The Trophee Des Champions winners reported on the news via their official social media account on x:
“Hang in there, Maik.
Seriously injured, Maik Nawrocki is suffering from a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament and will undergo surgery. The entire club stands by its defender and sends him its best wishes for a speedy recovery.”
It comes as a major blow to the 25 year old who was starting to reinvent himself at last seasons Ligue one runners up, having featured in the club’s first three fixtures of the campaign, and who just weeks ago had helped his new club lift silverware in the Trophee Des Champions triumph over PSG.
RC Lens vs PSG Maik Nawrocki 3 of RC Lens pictured during the French season 2026 – 2027 Trophee des champions – supercup game between Racing Club De Lens and Paris Saint-Germain on August 16 , 2026 in Lens, France. Photo by David Catry / IMAGO sportpix. Lens Stade Bollaert Delelis Hauts de France.
Nawrocki who signed for Celtic in the summer of 2023 for a fee believed to be worth £4.3 million, endured a torrid time in Glasgow despite impressing the supporters in the rare occasions he played.
He also had his fitness issues, but for the most part he was fit and available, and to this day it remains a mystery as to why he wasn’t handed more opportunities to prove his undoubted ability.
Maik Nawrocki of Hannover in action during the 2. Bundesliga match between Hannover 96 and 1. FC Nürnberg at Heinz-von-Heiden-Arena on May 17, 2026 in Hanover, Germany. (Photo by Selim Sudheimer/Getty Images)
His new club are now understandably reeling after their new summer signing suffered such an unfortunate setback.
The RC Lens statement read: “Maik Nawrocki has suffered a severe injury and a complete rupture of his anterior cruciate ligament. The Lens number 3 will undergo surgery before a recovery period of several months.
“The entire club stands with their defender during this extended period of absence and sends him their best wishes for a speedy recovery. Get well soon, Maik!
Rafael Nel of Sporting CP (L) tries to pass trough Maik Nawrocki of Celtic FC (R) during the Sporting CP v Celtic FC Pre-Season Friendly match at Estadio Algarve on July 14, 2026 in Faro, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues Getty Images)
Supporters of both RC Lens and Celtic wished the big centre back all the best.
One Celtic fan wrote: “All the best Maik, always rated you when you were a Celtic player”, while a Lens fan posted:“Courage Maik, the whole club is with you.” Another added: “Good luck and get well soon to him.”
On his departure earlier in the summer window, Celtic FC stated: “We can confirm that Maik Nawrocki has today joined Racing Club de Lens. Thank you and good luck, Maik.”
Arne Engels, Nicolas Kuhn and Maik Nawrocki of Celtic walk out prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off first leg Training Session at Lennoxtown Training Centre on February 11, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
However as far as staying fit, Maik never seems to get much luck. It will be a long road back from that injury and we wish him all the best for a full recovery in the shortest time possible.
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