The Dutchman yesterday completed his move from AIK Stockholm for a fee in the region of £1.5m, having agreed a three-and-a-half year contract to become Mowbray’s second capture of the transfer window.

A cursory skim through Swedish TV footage on YouTube reveals him to be a fascinating interview subject and does little to dispel the national stereotype that the Dutch say what they like and like what they say. His liberal use of English profanities may also dissuade Sky Sports News from beaming his introductory press conference live to the nation.

While his arrival is undoubted good news for a Scottish media crying out for “characters”, it is not the most pressing matter for a Celtic support eager to see if Hooiveld can provide the imposing, commanding presence their defence so badly needs.

On that front, it seems they may not be disappointed either judging from the rave reviews being dished out by those who got to know him in Sweden and, before that, in Finland. Hooiveld has been something of a late bloomer, making up for disappointments early in his career when he failed to make any real progress at SC Heerenveen, FC Zwolle or at Kapfenberger SV in Austria.

Having hit rock bottom, Finland provided the unlikely backdrop for a dramatic resurrection. Under the guidance of Inter Turku manager Job Dragtsma, a fellow Netherlander, Hooiveld settled immediately, and was voted Defender of the Year in 2007, retaining the accolade the following season as Inter completed a league and cup double.

He left not long after that success, but left a lingering impression, with comparisons being made to a modern day Finnish football legend. “Jos was the main architect on the field when Inter won the Finnish league in 2008,” said Kalle Virtapohja, a journalist based in Turku.

“Inter played, and still plays, under the guidance of the head coach Job Dragtsma, so we had a Dutch success duo in 2008 in Turku. The defence line was like iron when Jos was in there.I would compare him to Sami Hyypia as both are tall and both read the game well.”

Further adulation was to come upon his arrival in Sweden in time for the 2009 season. AIK won their first league title for 11 years, and did so by conceding just 20 goals in 30 matches, the best defensive record in the league.

Hooiveld, a towering figure at 6ft 3in, was a key part of that success and it was little surprise when his form began to attract the attention of clubs elsewhere. Celtic have moved in first to secure his signature and one former team-mate believes Mowbray has shown shrewd judgement in enticing the 26 year-old to Glasgow.

“If the fee is about £1.5m that people are talking about, then I would say that’s an absolute bargain,” Bojan Djordjic, the former Rangers player now at AIK, told The Herald. “Most people in Britain don’t know a lot about Swedish football so they will be quite surprised by how good Jos is.

“In some ways he’s a typical British centre-half in that he’s brave and a born leader. He reminds me a bit of Bobo Balde as he isn’t scared to get stuck in. But he’s not just some basic bruiser. He can play a bit as well, is a good passer, and is comfortable on the ball. I would say he will be a really good addition for Celtic.”

Hooiveld, who last played competitively on November 7, spent just one season in Stockholm, but Djordjic feels his former team-mate will be badly missed when the Swedish league starts up again in March.

“This is a big blow for us, especially with the Champions League qualifiers to come in the summer,” he said. “We had a really good team last year, winning the double, and Jos was a huge part of that. We are going to really miss him.

“He only spent one season with us, but he made an immediate impact and settled right away. He was named in the team of the year and was considered one of the best defenders in the country.

“But I think this is a good move for him. When a big club comes for you, it is hard to say no and Celtic is definitely a big club.”

Hooiveld’s boisterous personality has seen him cross swords with authority from time to time but Djordjic believes his enthusiasm is now channelled in the right way. “I think when he was younger he had a bit of an attitude problem and that maybe made it hard for him to settle down.

“But he moved to Finland and things seem to have been on the up for him ever since. He’s still a bit of a crazy guy but he’s mad in a good way. He’s got a British sense of humour which not everyone understood, but he and I got on really well.

“He’s a big personality to have in the dressing room and used to cheer people up when things weren’t going well. And the media will love him too as he just says whatever he’s thinking. Sometimes he’s maybe too honest, but he just can’t help himself.”

Djordjic still follows Scottish football closely, despite being a Rangers player for just six months at the start of 2005, but didn’t feel it necessary to pass on any advice to the departing Hooiveld.

“When it comes to massive clubs like Celtic and Rangers there is no real need to speak to anyone. You just go and sign and I’m sure there were no doubts in his mind. My only advice for him was that he should choose Rangers instead! But they weren’t in for him so Celtic had to do.

“From what I’ve seen of Scottish football on TV it seems Celtic have struggled a bit defensively so Jos will probably make a big difference. We’re sorry to lose him but I wish him all the best.”