Rivaldo Coetzee’s transfer from Ajax Cape Town to Celtic has been called off after the player failed a medical.
On Friday Brendan Rodgers had spoken about the player joining up after the international break but that has now fallen through.
Tonight the Ajax Cape Town website stated: “Ajax Cape Town can confirm that Rivaldo Coetzee will return to the club from Johannesburg where the player was undergoing a medical examination ahead of a proposed transfer to Scottish Champions , Glasgow Celtic.
“Following a routine medical examination carried out by the Celtic medical department they discovered an underlying problem with his right foot. The clubs were therefore unable to conclude the deal based on the medical information available. The player will return to Ajax Cape Town for further evaluation.
“The injury has not hampered Coetzee to date having not missed out on any competitive action either for his club or the national team. Ajax Cape Town can confirm that they were not aware of any condition that would have potentially hampered a transfer to Celtic.
“While disappointed that the deal could not be completed at this point the club are fully committed to giving the player the care and attention required in order to make a full recovery. Stuart Baxter, the Bafana Bafana head coach has been informed as Rivaldo had been called up for the upcoming matches against Cape Verde.”
With the deal for Coetzee called off Celtic are expected to increase their interest in other defensive targets.
For the third match running Celtic were without their three first choice central defenders as they drew 1-1 today with St Johnstone.
Jozo Simunovic and Kristoffer Ajer were on the substitute bench with Nir Bitton and Mikael Lustig paired together in defence.
Celtic have until Thursday to make any new signings with the need for new defensive options increasing with speculation that a couple of clubs are interested in signing Simunovic.