Celtic transfer news: Japan winger Kyogo Furuhashi set to join from Vissel Kobe
Celtic confirm agreement to sign Japan international on four-year deal; Furuhashi, 26, made his debut for Japan against Venezuela in November 2019 but had to wait more than a year for his second cap, which came in a 3-0 win over South Korea in March
Friday 16 July 2021 13:07, UK
Celtic have agreed a deal to sign Japan winger Kyogo Furuhashi from Vissel Kobe, both clubs confirmed on Friday.
Celtic confirmed that they have agreed a four-year deal with Furuhashi, with completion of the transfer dependent on the 26-year-old passing a medical and gaining international clearance. Neither side has confirmed a fee for the deal.
Furuhashi will join a Celtic side led by former Yokohama F Marinos head coach Ange Postecoglou, who moved to Scotland last month having led the Marinos to the J-League title in 2019.
Postecoglou said: "We are delighted to bring Kyogo Furuhashi to Celtic. He is a player of real quality and clearly someone I know well.
"I think he will add something special to our squad and I am sure the way he plays will excite our supporters. We look forward to welcoming him to Celtic."
Furuhashi, who is the current top scorer in the Japanese top flight this season with 14 goals in 2 games, made his international debut against Venezuela in November 2019 but had to wait more than a year for his second cap, which came in a 3-0 win over South Korea in March.
He has played six times for the 'Samurai Blue', scoring twice in a 14-0 thrashing of Mongolia in World Cup qualifying in March before netting against Tajikistan last month.
Furuhashi was part of the Vissel Kobe side that won the Emperor's Cup in 2019 and featured in the Asian Champions League as the club made their debut in the continental club championship last year.
Furuhashi would become Postecoglou's fourth summer signing following the arrivals of Liel Abada, Liam Shaw and Osaze Urhoghide.
However, there could also be departures from Celtic Park, with the futures of Odsonne Edouard and Kristoffer Ajer remaining uncertain.