According to the Daily Record, Vasilis Barkas will be thrown straight into the Celtic squad to face Hamilton Academical this weekend.
It’s claimed that Barkas will be unveiled as a Celtic player today having arrived in Glasgow on Wednesday.
The AEK Athens goalkeeper has undergone his medical with the Bhoys, whilst boss Neil Lennon gave him a tour of the club’s Lennoxtown training facility.
The fee involved will be £4.5million rising to £5.5million, and is expected to be thrown straight into the squad against Hamilton.
Whether Barkas – the mos expensive goalkeeper Celtic have ever purchased – actually starts is another matter, given that the game is on Sunday.
That’s a very quick turnaround to be starting, especially as a goalkeeper would ideally have some rapport with his defence.
Barkas, 26, arrives as Celtic’s long-term replacement for Craig Gordon, with more than 100 appearances for AEK under his belt, whilst he also has 10 Greece caps.
A huge presence at 6ft 5in tall, Barkas will now hope to become a Celtic favourite like compatriot Giorgios Samaras did – possibly starting with this Sunday’s game.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
