Celtic came close to signing Canadian defender Emile Legault

Celtic came close to signing Canadian defender Emile Legault this summer but saw a deal collapse at the final hurdle.

The Scotsman report that a move was all-but agreed between both parties, with Legault set to sign a three-year deal at the club.

They claim that the defender spent time with the club during the off season and even featured for the Hoops in the Northern Ireland Super Cup and the South Shields tournament.

Legault was linked with the club during the summer, but nothing concrete came of the reports.

However, it has now been revealed that the player needed to apply for a work permit in order to secure a move to Parkhead and it was not granted.

The central defender was highly rated in France and previously played for Auxerre, representing the club at youth level.

The report claims that Legault will return to France to continue his development, but he could be a name to watch out for in the future.