Scott Brown will continue to wear green and white next season

Rangers, Middlesbrough, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur were among the other clubs vying for his signature.

The 21-year-old Scotland midfielder's agent, Willie McKay, told BBC Sport: "He is definitely going to Celtic."

It is understood that Brown will move to the Scottish champions for a fee in the region of �4.5m.

Interview: Agent Willie McKay

Interview: Former Celtic player Bobby Lennox

Interview: Former Hibernian player Jackie McNamara

But Hibs fans should not expect their team to splash out on a replacement.

The Edinburgh club will have banked in excess of �6m for the sale of Brown and Kevin Thomson, who joined Rangers in January.

But it is understood that Hibs boss John Collins will have only a small fraction of that cash to strengthen his squad.

Brown had a transfer request rejected by Hibs in December.

There were a host of clubs after Scott and some English clubs offered more money Agent Willie McKay

He went on to become a key figure in Hibs' CIS Cup success this season, but Collins has long been resigned to losing him.

It had long been thought that Brown would have preferred to join close friend and former team-mate Thomson at Ibrox.

However, it appears that Celtic have been able to outbid their Glasgow city rivals.

"He can only go to where Hibs are prepared to accept an offer from," said McKay.

"There were a host of clubs after Scott and some English clubs offered more money.

"But Celtic ticked all the boxes for Hibs and for his personal terms. He is delighted to join Celtic."

Hibs have yet to confirm the deal, but a spokesman said: "Scott has been given permission to talk to a number of clubs.

"These are clubs that have all made life-changing offers to Scott. He is a young lad with a fantastic attitude."

Middlesbrough chief executive Keith Lamb had revealed on Monday that discussions had been held.

But he stressed that no fee had been agreed between the two clubs, despite reports of a �5.5m offer.

Lamb expected further talks when Hibs had completed their season.

"Despite suggestions to the contrary, we have not made a bid for Scott Brown," he said.

"We have had discussions with Hibernian about the player, who is one of many on Gareth Southgate's list of potential targets."

Premiership side Charlton had a �3m bid for Brown and Kevin Thomson rejected earlier this season.

Thomson eventually sealed a �2m switch to Rangers and he urged Brown to join him at Ibrox.