Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has hailed the capture of Yuki Kobayashi - with left-sided centre-backs 'hard to find'.
The 57-year-old has tapped back into the J-League market to snap up up the highly regarded defender on a five-year deal as he gets his winter window plans underway a whole month before business commences in January. He followed a similar path last season when he swooped for Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate and Yosuke Ideguchi.
The Celtic gaffer believes his latest recruit has 'great potential' ahead of him and is at a really good age with the stopper really keen to make the move to Scotland and have a real crack at European football. He will join up with his new club next week and will be eligible for competitive action from January 2023.
READ MORE: Ange Postecoglou has Celtic transfers lined up as he addresses viral Australia dressing room video
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That could tee him up for a blockbuster debut against Rangers with the Old Firm derby taking place on January 2.
The Hoops gaffer told the official club website: “We’re really pleased. Yuki is someone that we’ve been following for a while and it was a great opportunity to bring him in. He’s a left-sided centre-back, and they’re hard to find. He’s still young but he’s already had three of four years of senior experience and he’s really keen to come across and test himself in Europe.
“I think we saw last year that bringing in guys nice and early gives us the opportunity to bed them in, in that six-month period of the second half of the season, and we’re really looking forward to having him as part of the group.
“He’s at a really good age where he’s already had some great experience but with great potential ahead of him. He’s a good young man who wants to have a real crack at it here in Europe and for us it’s a great opportunity to invest in a young player again."
A club statement on the deal, added: "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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