Celtic agree deal to sign Shin Yamada from Kawasaki Frontale | OneFootball

Celtic have all but completed a deal to sign Kawasaki Frontale striker Shin Yamada, according to Scottish journalist Anthony Joseph.

The player is expected to arrive in Glasgow next week for a medical. Yamada is currently on international duty with Japan, representing his country at the E-1 Championship in South Korea.

Once that’s out of the way on July 15, he’ll be on the next flight to Scotland to join Celtic.

The 25-year-old has been on Celtic’s radar for a couple of years now. They registered an interest when he bagged 19 goals in 31 J1 League appearances in 2023/24.

His numbers dipped last season as he tallied just six goals and three assists in 33 games across all competitions. However, Celtic are still interested in the striker.

Even though he hasn’t reached his previous numbers, Celtic are convinced his aggressive and energetic style of play will fit into Brendan Rodgers’ philosophy.

The Hoops are finalising a £1.5 million deal for the striker, and they’re confident that the move will be rubber-stamped after he returns from international duty.

Celtic reignited their interest in Yamada after missing out on Rapid Vienna forward Isak Jansson, who is now on his way to Ligue 1 club OGC Nice in an £8.5m deal.

The Hoops were keen, but Rapid couldn’t say no to Nice’s lucrative proposal. While they’re working on the move for Yamada, Celtic still have a couple of other deals lined up.

Belgian winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha is also on their summer wishlist. Rodgers is keen to bolster his squad ahead of a potential title challenge.

He knows it won’t be a walk in the park, especially after the recent Rangers takeover.

Balikwisha missed Royal Antwerp’s training session in Austria last Thursday, sparking rumours that a transfer could be on the cards.

The 24-year-old has one year left on his contract and could follow Yamada to Celtic in the coming weeks.