Daizen Maeda has insisted he would "love" to play in Europe as Celtic close in on a deal for the forward.
The 24-year-old is expected to complete a move to Parkhead from Yokohama F. Marinos on an initial loan with the option to buy.
He would reunite with former Marinos boss Ange Postecoglou in Glasgow and has already made clear his desire to challenge himself abroad.
An impressive 23 goals in 36 J-League appearances last term earned Maeda the division's top scorer award, as well as being named in the team of the season.
He had a spell on-loan in Portugal with Maritimo back in 2017, and when if he wanted to return to Europe, the Japan international replied: "I felt that I still have a long way to after playing against foreign players.
"If I don't experience playing in a foreign league, I won't be able to close the gap.
"So, if I have a chance, I would love to go to such a stage."
Reports in Japan also suggest Celtic could be closing in on an agreement to sign Yosuke Ideguchi.
It's claimed his club, Gamba Osaka, are planning for life after Ideguchi by replacing him with Shonan Bellmare's Mitsuki Saito, currently on loan at Russian club Rubin Kazan.
A double swoop for Maeda and Ideguchi would team them with countryman Kyogo Furuhashi, who has proved an immense hit since joining from Vissel Kobe during the summer.
He's hit 16 goals in all competitions, including a double to beat Hibs in the Premier Sports Cup Final earlier in December.
