CELTIC are today expected to complete the signing of defender Virgil van Dijk on a four-year deal as he arrived in Glasgow.

A lucrative sell-on clause demanded by the centre-back's club Groningen has been all but hammered out after the Dutch side agreed to back down on their initial demand for a £3.4million fee.

The lure of playing in the Champions League is thought to have helped the Parkhead club beat Newcastle to Van Dijk's signature.

"I'm happy to be here. Celtic is a big club," he said at Glasgow Airport this morning. "It's very close (to being done).

"I think I only have to do the medical but we'll see what happens."

The Dutchman added: "The promise of more nights like Celtic's Champions League win against Barcelona was part of the attraction of moving to Scotland.

"The game against Barcelona was a big game and I watched it at home.

"It was a very good game and I look forward to playing in the Champions League."

Groningen director of football Hans Nijsland also admitted the switch to Paradise was a great chance for the 21-year-old.

He said: "The deal is very close to completion and moving to a fantastic club with Celtic's great history is a fabulous opportunity for Virgil.

"We view Virgil as one of the best defenders in Dutch football and it's clear he is ready for the next step."