CELTIC are poised to unveil Japanese star Reo Hatate as their first signing of the New Year.
The Hoops are closing in on an agreement to land the versatile performer with his club Kawasaki Frontale, in a move reported in CQN last month.
Twenty-four-year old Hatate, who can play at the back and on the wing on the left-hand side while also adept at performing in midfield, met with his club’s board last week where he expressed his desire to move to Scotland and team up with international striker Kyogo Furuhashi who arrived in the summer in a £4.6million switch from Vissel Kobe.
Personal terms for the player are believed to have already been settled and the move could be concluded as soon as the window re-opens at the start of next month, according to a report in Sky Sports News.
The Hoops hierachy have been busy to make sure there are no problems with a work permit or other red tape requirements.
Postecoglou has also been linked with January moves for two other J-League stars.
Prolific hitman Daizen Maeda, a player he signed for Yokohama F Marinos in February, and Gamba Osaka midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi are also reported to be on the Greek-Australian’s shopping list as he continues his Celtic rebuild.
With the Japanese season now concluded, the Hoops gaffer has prioritised the early signings of recruits next month with the winter break due on January 2 following the match against Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Ibrox side at Parkhead.
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