Celtic are on the verge of completing a deal for Vissel Kobe defender Yuki Kobayashi, according to reports.
Not to be confused with his J-League team-mate of the very same name, the 22-year-old looks set to become Ange Postecoglou 's fifth acquisition from the Japanese top-flight in under two years. The Parkhead boss has spoken of his intention to again move quickly in the upcoming January market - and it's little wonder why.
A string of winter signings proved pivotal in last season's Premiership title race as the likes of Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and Matt O'Riley helped turn the tide in Celtic 's favour after they were beset by injuries in the opening half of the campaign. This time, however, they're looking to build from a position of strength - and with the possibility of interest emerging in their players in the wake of the upcoming Qatar World Cup. That process is clearly well under way and Kobayashi now looks likely to be Postecoglou's next addition. A report from Spinochi in Japan says the clubs have agreed a deal and the player is keen to make a move overseas.
But who is he, and what will be bring to Celtic? Record Sport Online takes a closer look.
Who is Yuki Kobayashi?
A left-sided centre-back, Kobayashi is a product of Vissel Kobe's youth academy, signing for the club back in 2018. He's since had loan spells at second tier Machida Zelvia and top-flight Yokohama before breaking into Vissel's first team at the onset of the 2020/21 campaign.
A year with Yokohama - not to be mistaken for Postecoglou's old club Yokohama F. Marinos - was Kobayashi's big initial breakthrough, playing 90 minutes in 24 of 34 league fixtures as a teenager in a team fighting for survival. They eventually finished 15th in the table and Kobayashi returned to Vissel for the following season.
Back at his parent club, he flitted in and outside of the team in 2021 campaign, serving as understudy to former Arsenal defender and Belgium international stalwart Thomas Vermaelen.
Vermaelen announced his retirement at the end of the season and that opened the door for Kobayashi to flourish. He's been ever-present in the current season, missing only two J-League matches and featuring prominently in the club's Asian Champions League campaign.
Kobayashi also has five Japan U-20 caps to his name. His agency, UDN Sports, also represents Celtic's Yosuke Ideguchi and a number of other Japanese players who have secured moves to Europe.
What will he bring to Celtic?
Kobayashi has been noted as a ball-playing defender who is adept at starting attacks from the back. He's a centre-back by trade but has also been deployed at left-back on occasion.
Footage shows a player who likes to defend on the front foot and is strong in the air. Kobayashi stands at 6ft 1 but has a slighter build than your average SPFL centre-back. The Premiership is certainly a more physical environment than the J-League but concerns of Kyogo Furuhashi's physique were quickly dispelled, so it'd be foolish to make any assertions about Kobayashi's suitability for the rough and tumble of Scottish football.
His defensive stats - including duels and aerial duels - place him well above the J-League average in a number of areas. His left-footedness would also bring a greater balance to Celtic's backline when building attacks. Carl Starfelt, Moritz Jenz and Stephen Welsh have all been deployed at left centre-back this season but all three are predominantly right-footed. A naturally left-footed player in this role opens up different passing angles into forward areas and, as noted, brings greater balance to Celtic's build-up.
What's been said about him?
Vissel Kobe's website features a colourful player profile surmising Kobayashi's career and abilities. It reads: "Taking advantage of his build-up ability and feed ability, he has built an undefeated myth in 15 league matches in which he participated in the starting lineup. During the absence of Belgian representative Thomas Vermaelen at the EURO, he acted as a wonderful substitute. Lefty from Vissel Academy who learned a lot from great legends. He aims to become a starting member this season."
Japanese football journalist Dan Orlowitz notes how Celtic are becoming an attractive destination for Japanese players looking to make an impact at international level, tweeting: "Kobayashi is definitely going to be aiming to represent Japan in 2026 and despite playing for Japan at a number of underage levels (U-15 through U-22) he's not yet at the call-him-up-to-the-seniors-for-the-experience stage. This move would show that Celtic rated highly as a potential stepping stone to international football for Japanese players."
