Celtic have clinched deals to take Manchester City striker Georgios Samaras and Japanese midfielder Koki Mizuno to Parkhead.

Greece international Samaras, 22, has joined on loan from City until the end of the season, with a view to the deal becoming permanent in the summer.

Mizuno, also 22, has become a permanent signing, agreeing a three-and-a-half-year contract with Celtic.

Samaras is eager to be involved for his country at Euro 2008, where Greece will defend their title.

However his first-team opportunities with City have been limited since Sven-Goran Eriksson's appointment in the summer.

The 6ft 4in frontman was a £6million signing from Heerenveen in 2006 but has failed to make the impact expected of him in England.

Celtic boss Gordon Strachan will be hoping Samaras gives Greece coach Otto Rehhagel plenty of food for thought in the coming months.

He will compete with Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Scott McDonald and Chris Killen for selection.

Samaras 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."

City were not in Europe so Samaras comes into contention to play in Celtic's Champions League last-16 clash with Barcelona.

He told the club's official website: "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 Barca 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.

"It will be very difficult against Barcelona but in football you never know. I try to give 100% in each game and, of course, to have the mentality to win every game."

Samaras has been joined at Celtic by Japan midfielder Koki Mizuno, also 22, who has become a permanent signing after agreeing a three-and-a-half-year contract.

Celtic secured a work permit for Mizuno after convincing an appeals panel he was an exceptional case, despite winning just three caps for Japan so far.

He joins fellow Japan midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura at Celtic.

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