Dutch defender Hooiveld bound for Celtic

Scottish champions Celtic are set to make 26-year-old Dutch defender Jos Hooiveld their first signing of the new year, press reports said on Monday.

The AIK Solna player will cost in the region of 2 million pounds and he will be given the role of replacing Scotland defender Gary Caldwell who is heading to Middlesbrough to join former Hoops boss Gordon Strachan.

Hooiveld told the Daily Record: “I think my style of play will be good for the Scottish league and I can do a very good job for Celtic.

“It should be something special for me to play for Celtic because they are a big, classic club.

“In many ways, they are like AIK to me because they have a big and passionate following of supporters.

“All the town of Glasgow speaks about football. It’s a massive interest to everyone. It will be a very good move for me.”

AIK won the double in Sweden recently but have fallen on hard times financially. Hooiveld joined the club on a free transfer 12 months ago.

The defender failed to make the grade at first club Heerenveen in the Netherlands and was even rejected by Scottish side Livingston after a trial there in 2005.

Celtic must also consider whether to make a fresh bid for Preston defender Sean St Ledger after seeing an approach rejected by the Championship club last week.