Celtic are closing in on the signing of Gamba Osaka midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi – and he has Shinji Kagawa’s seal of approval.
Celtic nearing Ideguchi deal
Ange Postecoglou’s knowledge of Japanese football is coming in very, very handy at Celtic.
The former Yokohama F. Marinos signed a Parkhead favourite in Kyogo Furuhashi and is now looking to repeat the trick.
Football Scotland now report that three J1 League players are expected to join Celtic in the coming weeks.
Kawasaki Frontale utility man Reo Hatate, Gamba Osaka midfielder Ideguchi and Yokohama F. Marinos attacker Daizen Maeda are nearing moves to Celtic.
That would mark a real influx of Japanese talent – with the hope of emulating Kyogo.
Kagawa has raved about Ideguchi
Some Celtic fans may be concerned by the move for Ideguchi. He was signed by Leeds in 2018 but failed to make a single appearance for the club.
A holding or box-to-box midfielder, Ideguchi has excelled in two spells with Gamba Osaka.
Back in 2017, former Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United ace Shinji Kagawa shared his view on Ideguchi.
Kagawa called Ideguchi ‘wonderful’, backing him for a huge future as the face of Japanese football.
That hasn’t quite happened, but Ideguchi has bounced back from his Leeds adversity to thrive again.
Celtic could now give Ideguchi a big move to Parkhead – and will hope that he proves Kagawa right after all.
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