But Celtic believe they have now landed the biggest football star in China, which has the biggest population in the world, which will bring them even more revenue.

“Chinese TV take games,” said Lawwell. “Celtic can piggy-back on that and bring in commercial revenues and get the club exposed, with those people understanding what Celtic is.

“We’re talking about a tour to Japan and possibly now we’ll go to Shanghai on the way there and get the Celtic name well and truly known around the world.

“The Chinese possibly feel a wee bit conned in terms of clubs going there, taking the dollar and going away.

“We feel that if you are going to break into Japan or China, you have to be serious and sincere. By bringing good players here, and playing them, shows that sincerity.

“We’d be looking to have significant contracts in place in time.

“I couldn’t give a figure at the moment but it would be substantial. Perhaps more than the Japanese market given the volume of people.

“Already in Japan we have put together a number of sponsorship and partnership contracts.”

Du Wei has certainly shown his commitment by vowing to put club before country - until at least he settles in Glasgow.

The Chinese international defender signed a four-year contract but Celtic have an option to end the agreement in January if the switch proves too much of a culture shock.

But even though his country might want him to make the trip around the world for their forthcoming games, the 23-year-old hopes he will be allowed to stay in Scotland.

“I know that China have a lot of internationals but the Chinese Football Association and the Chinese national team have been very supportive of my move to Celtic,” said Du Wei.

“I know that I will be named in the team but I am going to speak with the coaches to see if I can miss some of the games because I’d like to stay with Celtic for the time being.

“I want to settle with Celtic sooner and train with the team and adapt rather than go back and forth.”

Du Wei has revealed former Rangers star and Shanghai Shenhua team-mate Jorg Albertz recommended he should go.

“I spoke to Jorg when he was over in Shanghai for a friendly game,” he said.

“I knew that he had played in Glasgow before and he gave me recommendations about living here. He said Scotland is a very nice country and the people in Glasgow are very warm.

“For a footballer to come here they will have a very good chance to develop and become a better player.”

Bobo Balde, meanwhile, has also committed his future to the club by staying beyond the deadline and ripping up a clause in his contract which could have seen him leave for nothing.

“He had this clause which has created unbelievable furore around the world,” added Lawwell.

“He had the option but we delighted he didn’t take it. The rationale for it was that on January 30 Bobo had a signed contract offer from Middlesbrough. Frankly the deal was better than the one he ended up with us.

“We wanted Bobo to stay because we wanted him to help push on for the title and because it was too late to bring in a replacement.

“So we signed the contract and agreed to his request for a get-out clause.

“Our rationale was that he would be here, he would be paid no more, and we would have him in the title run-in.

“We would be in no worse a position in this window than if he had not signed the contract.

“Basically we were happy to do it and have no regrets – other than we did not win the title with him.”