Hayato Inamura, a Japanese center-half, has signed a four-year contract with Celtic after departing Albirex Niigata from his homeland.

Hayato Inamura, a Japanese center-half, has signed a four-year contract with Celtic after departing Albirex Niigata to return to his homeland. The 23-year-old has been with the J-League club for less

 

 

 

than a year, having obtained his membership from Tokyo University. Inamura has appeared in 36 matches for the Niigata club, including 17 this season, with all but two of them being starts. “He is a young player who is full of potential and promise,” stated Brendan Rodgers, the manager of Celtic.

 

 

 

 

“We are eager to have him as a member of our team, and I am confident that he is thrilled to be taking this next step in his career.” Kyogo Furuhashi, Yuki Kobayashi, and Tomoki Iwata have also been at the Scottish champions in recent years, and Inamura will be joining compatriots Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate at Celtic Park. Ange Postecoglou, who served as the manager of Yokohama F.

 

 

 

 

Marinos for three and a half years prior to his relocation to Glasgow in June 2021, signed all of them. Inamura has elected to wear the number 25, which was previously worn by his childhood idol, Shunsuke Nakamura, who played for Celtic from 2005 to 2009.Inamura stated to CelticTV, “This club has produced numerous Japanese players who have achieved success.”

 

 

 

 

“This club is extremely well-known and is of immense size on a global scale.” I am genuinely thrilled to be a part of Celtic. It is an immense opportunity for me. The contemporary Japanese players have been exhibiting exceptional performance thus far. I believe that is the reason for the high expectations placed on Japanese athletes.

 

 

 

 

 

I am sincerely committed to exceeding those expectations and delivering my best effort. When I was a child, I would emulate Nakamura’s striking technique. He was one of my most cherished competitors. Albirex is currently ranked second bottom of the J-League after 22 games, following their 4-0 loss to eighth-placed Machida Zelvia over the weekend.

 

 

 

 

 

Afterward, Inamura declared that it was his final game, stating on the club website, “I am sincerely sorry for having made this decision during a challenging time for the team.” I am aware that not everyone will be pleased to bid me farewell; however, I will fight with all my strength to ensure that one day everyone will recognise this decision as the correct one and feel triumphant.