Ajax Cape Town have announced the transfer of Rivaldo Coetzee to Celtic.
The 20-year-old central defender has been playing first team football for three years and becomes Celtic’s first ever signing from South African football.
Coetzee will require a work permit but with 22 full international caps that should be a formality.
????| We are extremely proud to announce an agreement with @celticfc , for the sale of defender Rivaldo Coetzee, HAS BEEN CONCLUDED. pic.twitter.com/gUhB0y1r3H
— Ajax Cape Town (@ajaxcapetown) August 21, 2017
With Dedryck Boyata and Erik Sviatchenko both currently injured Coetzee could get an early chance to shine although he did pick up an injury in Saturday’s draw with Golden Arrows.
Nir Bitton and Kristoffer Ajer have been played in central defence in recent weeks but the arrival of the South African defender looks like allowing Ajer to go out on loan.
The Norwegian spent the second part of last season on loan at Kilmarnock who are interested in taking him back again.
Brendan Rodgers may want to provide Ajer with a different type of test but will have to assess Coetzee in training before making any decisions.
