Celtic manager Neil Lennon is closing in on a deal to bring Mexican World Cup star Efrain Juarez to Parkhead.
Juarez, who plays for Club Universidad Nacional, more commonly known as Pumas, in his home country, is expected to put pen to paper with the Scottish Premier League club later this week.
The 22-year-old right back started Mexico’s World Cup games against South Africa, France and Argentina last month.
Should the formalities be completed without a hitch, Juarez could join up with his new team-mates during their pre-season tour of the United States and Canada.
Lennon said, “We are very close to signing him and hopefully over the next few days we’ll have something on that.
“He might not come to Philly but hopefully he’ll come to Toronto. He’s got great energy, is really comfortable on the ball and works really hard off the ball.
“He’s a very fit lad and I think his style will suit us. He’s a hardy little guy as well – he can put his foot in. I saw Juarez playing against England at Wembley before the World Cup and just kept an eye on him.
“I thought he looked decent there and in the World Cup and when the opportunity came up we watched him again and again and asked if he would fit in to what we wanted to do here. We all agreed that he would. We’re not paying massive money for him.”
Â
