Celtic see two transfers agreed as Shin Yamada reveals exact deal timeline and Balikwisha goes into 'overtime'
Incoming Shin Yamada has revealed he knew he was going to leave Kawasaki Frontale earlier this month as the striker prepares to join Celtic.
The clubs have agreed a £1.2million deal for the 25-year-old who said his goodbyes to Kawaski following the Emperors Cup clash with SC Sagamihara.
But the Japan international has now revealed that a deal was all-but done for him to leave the J-League side before he took part in the E-1 Championship with his country.
Speaking about his emotional sendoff, he told Targma: "When I played against Kashima Antlers (on July 6), it had already been decided
"Today was a game, however, so I had mixed emotions. I was a bit embarrassed to be speaking in front of everyone there, so the tears didn't come."
He noted that he jumped at the chance to make a move to European football as he prepares to join his fellow countrymen Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate and Hayato Inamura at Celtic Park.
He said: "When I joined Kawasaki Frontale, I had a desire to go overseas.
"I thought that if I didn't make that decision, I wouldn't be able to get any closer to my goal of participating in the World Cup and winning it in Japan. So that's the decision I came to."
"Of course, there are a lot of things that happen. I was hesitant., but I had no doubts about going."
The arrival comes after the departure of defender Lenny Agbaire for Rotherham United.
The 20-year-old spent last season on loan at Scott Brown 's Ayr United and was a regular for the B team.
Millers' manager Matt Hamshaw has revealed the club kept the deal for the centre-back 'secret", stating: 'Lenny's kind of taken a little while with paperwork etc.
"So it's been really drawn out. So we've, believe it or not, had him here a while.
'We've done well to kind of keep it a secret as long as we have. We had him here obviously out in Portugal with us. So he's only been able to do individual work with us."
With one defender going out, the search continues for a new left-back with the Hoops' expected to step up their interest in Cercle Brugge full back Flavio Nazinho.
But an alternative Greg Taylor replacement has opened the door - with Djurgarden wonderkid Keita Kosugi keen on a move away from Sweden this summer amid reported interest from the Scottish champions, Everton and PSG.
Discussing his future with Fotboll Sthlm, he said: "Something could happen, we have plenty of time."
Royal Antwerp wide man Michel-Ange Balikwisha is top of Celtic 's list to replace the Nicolas Kuhn.
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BBC News
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- BBC News
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