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SA's Coetzee nears major European move

Cape Town - Ajax Cape Town defender Rivaldo Coetzee is set to seal a blockbuster move to Scottish champions, Celtic, in the coming week after a protracted transfer saga.

The 20-year-old Bafana Bafana international looks to have clinched a much-wanted transfer to a European team, with his move to the Brendan Rodgers-coached outfit set to be announced this week.

Sources within the Cape-based club confirmed to Sport24 that Coetzee will depart for Scotland within the next week and will be unveiled as a Celtic player imminently.

The Urban Warriors youth product, who featured in the club's 1-1 draw against Golden Arrows on Saturday, is believed to have impressed the Celtic scouting team with his ability to play the ball out from defence.

Rodgers recently dropped a huge hint to the impending transfer when previously asked by reporters of the interest brewing in Scottish and South African media over the Coetzee deal.

"It's really about the availability of a player," he told reporters.

"We'll look to bring in quality if it becomes available. It's something we have been working towards over the course of the last few weeks."

Coetzee, who has been regarded by many as South Africa's best defensive prospect since Lucas Radebe, will be plying his trade for one of Europe's most historic clubs.

He will also gain valuable Champions League experience as Celtic look set to secure their passage to the group stages of Europe's elite club competition when they face FC Astana in Kazakhstan on Tuesday, holding a 5-0 first-leg advantage.

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