Rennes Secure Kyogo Furuhashi in £10m Transfer Deal from Celtic
In a significant transfer move, Celtic’s striker Kyogo Furuhashi has bid farewell to the Scottish Premiership champions, joining French club Stade Rennes in a £10 million deal. The 30-year-old departure comes after three and a half successful years with the Hoops, initially brought to the club by former manager Ange Postecoglou from J League’s Vissel Kobe.
During his tenure at Celtic, Furuhashi made a lasting impact, scoring an impressive 85 goals in 165 appearances and contributing to the club’s triumph with three Premiership titles, three League Cups, and two Scottish Cup victories. His departure marks a bittersweet moment for Celtic, as fans and management alike acknowledge the considerable loss of an “outstanding” player.
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers disclosed that Furuhashi had expressed his desire to pursue opportunities in one of Europe’s top five leagues several months ago. This decision stemmed from a conversation with Japan’s national team coach, Hajime Moriyasu, who had previously criticized the Scottish Premiership’s quality. Furuhashi has now inked a two-and-a-half-year deal with Rennes, a team currently positioned 17th in Ligue 1.
Rodgers shared insights into Furuhashi’s departure, stating, “Kyogo had expressed an interest to leave a number of months back and then that expression becomes stronger and then it gets to the stage where he clearly very wants to leave.” While Celtic prepares to bid farewell to a remarkable player, they have secured a forward replacement for Furuhashi by bringing Jota back to the club in the same transfer window.
Reflecting on Furuhashi’s journey, Rodgers emphasized the platform Celtic provides for players to develop their skills and showcase their talent at the highest level, despite not being part of the top five leagues globally. Furuhashi’s growth during his time at the club, especially in the Champions League, serves as a testament to the opportunities Celtic offers for players to excel and reach their full potential.
As Celtic navigates Furuhashi’s departure and works towards strengthening their squad, the club remains committed to maintaining its competitive edge. With the January transfer window in full swing, fans eagerly anticipate new signings and potential reinforcements to ensure Celtic’s continued success in the Scottish Premiership. Stay tuned for the latest updates on this evolving transfer saga!
