CELTIC defender Osaze Urhoghide is closing in on a loan move to the Belgian top flight, according to reports.

The 21-year-old defender joined from Sheffield Wednesday last summer alongside midfielder Liam Shaw but has only managed a solitary first-team appearance, which arrived in the Europa League dead rubber against Real Betis in December.

The Scotsman report that KV Oostende, the club where Jack Hendry excelled on loan last season, are at the front of the queue for Urhoghide and the defender is on his way to Belgium to complete a medical, with an announcement expected 'imminently'.

Verona were also credited with an interest in the centre-half earlier this month but the Serie A outfit appear to have missed out on their man.

The report adds that Celtic have rebuffed numerous approaches to sign Urhoghide on a permanent deal, instead preferring to arrange a temporary move where his progress can be monitored.