Celtic have completed the signing of Japanese defender Yuki Kobayashi on a long-term deal.
Ange Postecoglou has tapped back into the J-League market to snap up the highly exciting talent on a five-year deal and he will join up with his new club NEXT week. He will be able to meet his new Celtic team-mates and adjust to life in Scotland from this point but won't be able to play competitively until the registration window opens in January 2023.
That would tee him up for a blockbuster debut with the Hoops locking horns with Rangers on January 2. They will have a new man in the dugout for the showdown following the decision to sack Giovanni van Bronckhorst on Monday. Speaking to the official Celtic website, Kobayashi said: "I am so excited to be joining Celtic and I am really looking forward to this wonderful opportunity.
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"I will be giving everything to try and be successful with the club.
'Right across the world, everyone knows what a special club Celtic is and it will be a real honour to wear this fantastic jersey.'
“The work of Ange Postecoglou is also really well-known in Japan after he had such a great time in the J League, and as well as being part of Celtic I can’t wait to work with him as a coach and the great team of players he has already developed.
“I know that Celtic over so many years has such a brilliant track record of success and I now want to play my part in bringing more great moments to the club and our fans.
"I would like to thank Vissel Kobe sincerely for all the support that has been given to me in the early part of my career and now I look forward to embracing this exciting new challenge with Celtic, one of the world’s great football clubs.”
A club statement read: "Celtic Football Club is delighted to announce that it has reached agreement to sign Japanese central defender, Yuki Kobayashi, subject to international clearance.
"The 22-year-old player is regarded as a hugely exciting talent and will join Celtic from J-League club Vissel Kobe, on a five-year deal.
"Yuki will be able to join up with his new Celtic team mates from December 1, 2022 and will be eligible to play competitively once the registration window opens in January 2023."
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