New Celtic defender Yuki Kobayashi is currently en route to Glasgow after leaving Japan on a flight earlier today.
A local Kobe sports outlet uploaded a video of the player at the airport this afternoon with Kobayashi telling them he may well miss Japan’s massive match against Spain later due to being on his plane to Europe.
Celtic have also arranged media appearances for Kobayashi tomorrow as he gets settled into his new club, with fan media representatives getting the chance to ask him questions in a video call.
Kobayashi was announced as Ange Postecoglou’s latest signing last month and will become the fifth Japanese talent currently playing at the club.
He’s a left-sided central defender and is expected to provide competition in the senior side from the off as one of the options alongside stalwart Cameron Carter-Vickers. Carl Starfelt, Moritz Jenz and Stephen Welsh are all also competing for places.
The 22-year-old made 78 appearances in total for the Japanese club between the J-League, cup and Asian Champions League, where he helped them reach the quarter-finals this season.
Everyone will be eager to hear what he has to say about his move to Celtic over the weekend.
Most of the squad have arrived back at Lennoxtown to regroup for training before the Bhoys travel off to Portugal for a training camp next week, which will include a friendly against Ligue 1 side Rennes.
Everything is again ramping up to the Bhoys’ next competitive fixture on December 17th at Pittodrie. Kobayashi won’t be eligible for that one, but can make his competitive debut at any time from January 1st onwards.
In other news, The path is now clear for Celtic to finalise Alistair Johnston move.
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