CONFIRMED: Everton loan Jonjoe Kenny to Celtic

Everton have loaned right-back Jonjoe Kenny to Celtic for the rest of the season.

Kenny, 23, has made 48 senior appearances for Everton since his debut in May 2016, having broken through the club’s academy.

But he has been starved of first team football this season, with just eight outings - four of which were starts - and has been frequently left out of Carlo Ancelotti’s matchday squads altogether despite the lack of depth at rightback behind club captain Seamus Coleman.

He will now look for more regular football with Celtic, who are second in the Scottish Premiership but trail leaders Rangers by 23 points.

Kenny has likely been brought in as a direct replacement for fellow right-back Jeremie Frimpong, who left Celtic for Bayer Leverkusen last week.

This is the fourth loan spell of Kenny’s career, having spent 2015-16 with Wigan Athletic and Oxford United, before a successful stint in the Bundesliga with Schalke 04 last term.

Kenny’s Everton contract expires in June 2022 so this might be the last chance for the player to prove himself. For the Blues, a successful loan stint might help with the player’s value in the upcoming summer transfer window as the last opportunity to make a tidy sum for the Academy product.

Speaking to the Glasgow club’s website, Kenny said -

“The stature of the club and how big it is made it a decision I couldn’t turn down. To come up here and play my football at a club like this is perfect for me right now.

“I want to come here and help the club first of all, and help the lads. Obviously, it’s been a bit difficult, but I just want to come here and try my best and give my all to Celtic, get out there and play and get some games for me, to show people what I can do and show my qualities.

“First of all, I enjoy playing football. I like getting the ball, playing nice football and getting forward and putting crosses in, but on the other side of that, I feel that I am aggressive, I like making tackles and just giving my all.”