Kwon Hyeok-kyu could be third Korean to join Celtic this year

Kwon Hyeok-kyu [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Busan IPark midfielder Kwon Hyeok-kyu looks set to become the third Korean player to join Scottish Premiership champions Celtic this year, with his current manager confirming his departure, although Celtic are yet to officially announce the transfer.

Kwon, 22, plays primarily as a defensive midfielder and has been a regular part of the iPark lineup since debuting with the club in 2019. He has represented Korea at various age groups and has already completed his mandatory military service.

According to Scottish media reports, Kwon is set to join Celtic on a move valued at about £1 million ($1.3 million).

Kwon is expected to join Gangwon FC midfielder Yang Hyun-jun as new signees for the Scottish treble winners. Celtic has not confirmed either move — possibly because the club does not want to announce new signings while focusing on the Japan leg of its preseason tour — but Gangwon FC have already bid farewell to Yang.

Celtic has been interested in Yang for months, making an initial offer to Gangwon at the end of May, with the team looking to sign Yang to reinforce their winger position.

The Scottish team’s offer came after the 21-year-old displayed an impressive performance last season in the K League, managing eight goals and four assists for Gangwon. His main role at the club is to break through the defense.

Gangwon refused, leaving Yang at odds with the club until they finally sat down for talks two weeks ago. The club has since confirmed that Yang will be permitted to move this summer.

The club is already home to midfielder Oh Hyeon-gyu, who joined Celtic from the Suwon Samsung Bluewings in January this year, got off to a fast start in Scotland, scoring seven goals in 21 appearances across all competitions last season.

Celtic has a long history with Korean players and fans, having formerly been home to both Ki Sung-yeung and Cha Du-ri in the early 2010s. Oh was the third Korean to play for the club and the third to win the Scottish Premiership with them — both Cha and Ki topped the table with the Scottish club in the 2011-12 season.

Celtic are currently on a preseason tour of Japan. They were scheduled to visit Korea after leaving Japan but pulled out after local promoters Stadium X and Untouchable Sport Group failed to meet “numerous financial and logistical operations.”

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]