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Ki made his international debut for South Korea against Jordan

South Korean Ki Sung-Yong will join Celtic in January in a deal Seoul have described as "win-win" for both clubs.

Celtic were keen to take the midfielder to Glasgow immediately, but Seoul were reluctant to sell midway through the season whilst top of their league.

And, quoted on Yonhap News Agency, Ki, 20, says he's delighted with the move.

"I am so happy to achieve my dream of playing in Europe. I want to go to Europe after Seoul get a good result in the Asian Champions League," he said.

Local media have reported that the transfer fee is set at around £2.1m.

"In the beginning, there was talk of a transfer in August but it was pushed to January because of our team's circumstances," FC Seoul general manager Han Woong-soo said.

"Now it's a win-win for both clubs."

Celtic manager Tony Mowbray has used the South Korean market before, bringing Do-Heon Kim to the Hawthorns while in charge at West Brom.

And the Scottish Premier League club have previously profited from the Asian market, Shunsuke Nakamura proving a popular signing before his departure to Espanyol this summer.

Fellow Japanese midfielder Koki Mizuno is still at Celtic Park.

Ki, who has been described by Celtic chief executive as "one for the future", began his career at John Paul College in Brisbane, Australia, and returned to South Korea to sign for Seoul in 2006.

He and follow Seoul prospect Lee Chung-Young are affectionately known as "Ssang Yong (Double Dragon)" because of their emergence at the club.

Ki was linked with Manchester United following the 2007 Under-20 World Cup and made his full international debut in a World Cup qualifier against Jordan last June.