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DEDRYCK BOYATA arrived in Glasgow tonight to clinch a four-year deal with Celtic.

The Belgian international will become Ronny Deila’s first signing of the transfer window.

Celtic are set to splash out a significant seven figure fee thought to be in the region of £1m for the player who has a year left of his contract at Manchester City.

The highly-rated Manchester City defender had been linked with a move to Parkhead after talks opened up between the two clubs earlier this month.

Boyata, 24, has been with City for nine years but has never played regular first team football with the English Premier League giants.

He made just 13 starts for City in his nine years at the City of Manchester Stadium and featured six times in all competitions this season.

(Image: Clint Hughes/Getty Images)

The stopper has been capped once for Belgium, appearing as a substitute against Austria in 2010 but hasn’t featured for the national side since.

Boyata's father Bienvenu confirmed last night the player would be leaving City but staying in Britain.

Speaking on a Belgian TV show his father said: “He signed for Manchester City in 2006 and if I could turn back the clock, I would not let him do it again.

“He should have stayed in Belgium and evolved at a club there before moving to a bigger club later.

“It is clear he won’t stay at Manchester City and he does not want to stay.

"They want to extend his contract, but he won’t play.

“A certain club has shown interest in Dedryck and has reached agreement with City and it will be made official next week.

What club? I can’t say, but let’s just say he will remain in Britain.”

(Image: PA)

Boyata will be hoping that he can follow in the footsteps of countryman Jason Denayer whose outstanding performances at Celtic led to the teenager making his breakthrough with Marc Wilmots Belgian international side.

Denayer made his senior international debut for Belgium in March in a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifier away to Israel.

Ironically Denayer, 19, will return to his parent club and Boyata's former employers Manchester City this summer.

Interestingly enough Denayer has refused to rule out another season long loan deal which could see him possibly link up with Boyata at Parkhead should he choose to rejoin the Hoops.