Celtic have pulled off a masterstroke with Yuki Kobayashi deal

Celtic have signed a number of players from Japan since the arrival of Ange Postecoglou and it looks like the name of Yuki Kobayashi, who currently plays for J1 League side Vissel Kobe, will be added to that list when the January transfer window opens.

As reported by Sponichi, Kobayashi will join Celtic in January of next year. According to various sources, formal offer has already arrived and an agreement has been reached for the deal between the two clubs involved.

The last time Celtic signed a player from Vissel Kobe, it turned out to be a superhit in the form of Kyogo Furuhashi, who has gone to become one of the club’s biggest stars and played a key part in their Premiership and League Cup triumphs last season.

Kobayashi has the potential to be a similar transfer masterstroke on the part of Celtic, as Postecoglou might have discovered another gem from the J1 League.

Celtic have pulled off a transfer masterstroke with Kobayashi deal

Kobayashi is a 22-year-old left-footed centre-back, not to be confused with the midfielder of the same name also playing for Vissel Kobe at this point of time.

Kobayashi has a great ability to find passes from the back during the build up play and can drive forward with the ball himself. On the defensive side of things, he is very good as well, as his reading of the game and positioning particularly standing out. Also, as a result of being 6 feet tall, he is also imposing at the back and an aerial threat going forward, although it will be interesting to see if that translates in the much more physical Scottish game.

All things considered, Kobayashi looks like an excellent prospect, who seems to be ready to compete with Carl Starfelt for the starting spot, as both of them are left-footed defenders.