CELTIC will today seal a £1million deal for Costa Rican international right-back Cristian Gamboa – as CQN indicated yesterday.
The speedy 26-year-old defender will quit Premier League outfit West Brom after being frozen out by boss Tony Pulis.
Gamboa checked in to Glasgow yesterday and underwent a medical at Ross Hall before the finishing touches on his personal terms were thrashed out last night. If there are no unexpected last-minute hitches, a three-year contract will be finalised today.
The player – one of the stars of the 2014 World Cup Finals in Brazil – managed just four starts for the Midlands side following his £2million move from Rosenborg two years ago. He hasn’t figured this season.
Gamboa, who possesses electrifying acceleration, featured when Alan Irvine was in charge at the Hawthorns, but fell out of favour when Pulis was appointed as the Scot’s successor in January last year.
Brendan Rodgers will give him the opportunity to get his career back on track at the champions and provide opposition to Mikael Lustig and Saidy Janko on the right-side defensive berth.
The Swede has slotted in at centre-back on a couple of occasions so far this term while Janko, bought from Manchester United last summer for £1million, hopes to overcome his nervy display in last week’s Champions League play-off against Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
Rodgers was also monitoring his former Liverpool full-back Andre Wisdom, but the Anfield side’s asking price – believed to be around the £5million mark – made him turn his attention elsewhere.
The Hoops boss – who picked up £2million from Fulham for Stefan Johansen on Friday and £1million from Getafe for Stefan Scepovic in the summer – is looking for at least one more quality player before the transfer window closes tomorrow night.
More to follow throughout the day!
