As we all scrambled around in the excitement during the week at the rumour mill going into overdrive regards the Celtic play for Vissel Kobe’s Yuki Kobayashi, details on the finer points of any potential move were scarce to say the least. Even Ange Postecoglou remained tight-lipped about it when quizzed by the mainstream media about a move for the J-League star.
Standing at 6ft tall, Kobayashi is renowned for his ability to tackle and intercept as well as progress the play from deep in tandem with diagonal passes across field. In truth, we have been crying out for a player in defence like this since Norwegian Kristoffer Ajer left to join Brenford in the English Premier League.
Now more news has emerged from Japan that Celtic will procure the Kobe man as a free agent, under freedom of contract; meaning there will be no fee changing hands in this latest transaction from Asia. It takes our Japanese contingent to an unbelievable FIVE if he does sign on the dotted line for the Hoops come the winter transfer window of 2023.
The latest update vis-a-vis Kobayashi comes from daily.co.jp and states:
“DF Mateus Tourel, who joined Brazil 1st division Flamengo on a deadline transfer this summer, is intended to exercise the purchase option for a full transfer. Meanwhile, defender Tomoki Kobayashi will move to Celtic in the Scottish Premier League when his contract expires this season.”
If it all turns out to be true, then Celtic could very well be proving to be a dab hand these days in the marketplace. After the roaring success of all of our other imports from all over the world, including Japan, procuring the signing of Kobayashi could prove a masterstroke once again from Ange Postecoglou and Michael Nicholson.
We await January with glee…
🇯🇵 | Yuki Kobayashi
Celtic will sign Yuki Kobayashi in January as a free agent from J League side Vissel Kobe.
The 22 year old left footed centre-back contract at the club expires at the turn of the year clearing a move to the Scottish champions.
[@2023_J1] pic.twitter.com/5xxUEJ20zZ
— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) November 5, 2022
Paul Gillespie
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