CELTIC today pulled off a double signing swoop when they grabbed Giorgios Samaras from Manchester City and concluded the transfer of Koki Mizuno from Japan's JEF United.

Samaras is on loan until the summer with the option of a £2.5m permanent deal if the Greek striker, 22, adapts to life in the SPL and sees his long-term future here.

He arrived at Parkhead today with his agent, Ken Anderson, to complete the move from Eastlands, where he has been frozen out by Sven Goran Eriksson.

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell had moved quickly to firm up their interest when Rangers called off their bid for the international striker.

The move for Burnley's Kyle Lafferty now looks on hold, with the £3m fee being demanded for the striker an obstacle to a deal being struck in this window.

Derek Riordan - a target for Burnley boss Owen Coyle - would have been part of the offer for the Northern Ireland hitman, 20. And a source close to Kyle confirmed he'd be keen to make the move to the SPL champions.

But, with the arrival of Samaras, who could play against Motherwell tomorrow, Kyle may have to wait until the summer.

Gordon Strachan has been tracking the 6ft 4in Greek for three years, since he spotted him with Heerenveen in Holland. Celtic lost out when City paid £6m for him two years ago and feared wages might beat them this time.

But with Samaras indicating he would be willing to come on loan, and with the prospect of a £12,000 wage being released as Maciej Zurawski edges closer to Columbus Crew - that could go through in 48 hours - landing Samaras became much more viable.

He is eligible for the Champions League and is desperate to get back playing to secure his place in the Greek squad for Euro 2008.

Mizuno has also signed after protracted negotiations to bring the winger from Japan. He will fly in this week and could make his debut in Saturday's Scottish Cup tie against Kilmarnock.

Celtic are also trying to bring in at least one other defender. They have already signed Andreas Hinkel, but they are permitted to add three players to their Euro squad. And, as Hinkel is already cup-tied from his time at Sevilla, one space remains open.

Barry Robson could fill it as the Dundee United star could become a Celt for £1.2m after tonight's CIS league Cup semi-final.

Ben Hutchison has also been signed from Boro on a Bosman.

Riordan's agent, Jim McArthur, said today he now expects his player to remain at the club.

Hinkel is still getting treatment for a thigh strain, but Paul Hartley is fit for tomorrow against Motherwell. And John Kennedy is still on a long-term recovery. Samaras: My Euro mission

Greek striker Georgios Samaras hopes his loan move to Celtic can be mutually beneficial after signing on until the end of the season.

The 22-year-old is desperate to win a place in Greece's Euro 2008 squad and his hopes were fading as he struggled to get into the Manchester City side.

He said: "One of the reasons I signed here is because I will use the games to help Celtic, and, of course, for the chance to be in the squad for the national team of Greece for the summer.

"I'm here to help Celtic and for Celtic to help me.

"It's the biggest club in Scotland and I'm looking forward to winning games and to win the title we have targeted.

"I'm here to help the team and to reach the targets you have. And, of course, a big team like Celtic wants to win everything and I'm here to do that - to win everything."

The prospect of playing in Europe is attractive to Samaras, who knows a good performance against Barcelona would certainly bring him to Rehhagel's attention.

He said: "It will be my debut because I've never played in the Champions League before and I will do my best to get to the next round."