Celtic are now likely to sign Vissel Kobe centre-back Yuki Kobayashi when his contract expires next year, according to reports in Japan.

The 22-year-old’s current deal expires at the end of January, so it is expected that the 22-year-old will move to Parkhead on a free transfer on February 1st.

Kobayashi has been a regular starter for Kobe this season, having started 32 J League matches, helping his team to a 13th-place finish, and avoiding a relegation playoff by four points.

The defender has yet to be capped by Japan at senior level, having missed out on a place in the World Cup squad. He is set to link up with four other Japanese players at Celtic Park.

Kyogo Furuhashi was the first to arrive from the Far East in 2021 when he also made the switch from Vissel Kobe. The likes of Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and Yosuke Ideguchi all followed the same path back in January.