Celtic are set to seal second South Korean signing this summer, with Kwon Hyeok-kyu joining for £1m

Kwon Hyeok-kyu is poised to become Celtic’s second South Korean signing of the summer after his club, Busan IPark, confirmed he is about to exit in a £1million transfer.

The Scottish champions have already agreed a £2.1m deal for winger Yang Hyun-jun, who made an emotional farewell from Gangwon as he waits to complete visa formalities and a medical.

Defensive midfielder Kwon has been tracked by Celtic for the past year, with Sunday’s K-League 2 appearance against Seongnam expected to be his last for his current employers.

Speaking before that match, Busan IPark manager Park Jin-seop said of the 22-year-old’s likely departure: ‘It’s unfortunate, but the player’s future comes first, and growth comes first.’ 

Yang, meanwhile, revealed that he had sought advice from Celtic striker Oh Hyeon-gyu on what awaits him in Glasgow.

Kwon Hyeok-kyu is set to join Scottish champions Celtic, led by Brendan Rodgers, for £1m

The 6ft 3ins defensive midfielder has confirmed he is leaving South Korean side Busan IPark

He would become their second South Korean signing this summer after Yang Hyun-jun (above)

Yang said he spoke to Hoops striker Oh Hyeon-gyu (second right) before moving to Parkhead

The 21-year-old watched Gangwon’s weekend match with FC Seoul from the stands before becoming tearful as he waved goodbye to supporters.

Speaking to South Korean outlet Best Eleven, Yang also detailed his conversations with compatriot Oh as he looked towards their imminent link-up.

‘I called two days ago,’ he said. ‘He (Oh) is also in contact on a regular basis.

‘During the phone call, I asked what life was like. First of all, he told me that I should never be ignored. He said that my team-mates would recognise me if I came out strong.’

Insisting he was restarting previously stalled English lessons, he also expressed gratitude for the support received in Gangwon.

Yang had been at loggerheads with the club after they initially refused to let him leave before the end of the K-League season in October.

However, a meeting with chief executive Kim Byeong-ji smoothed the way for him to become Brendan Rodgers’ third addition of the summer after Norwegian midfielder Odin Thiago Holm and Australian forward Marco Tilio.

‘It’s strange,’ said Yang. ‘I am excited about a new challenge, but I’m sorry to the fans because I’m not leaving after the season. But I will never forget what happened here. Thanks to you (fans), I was motivated.’