Hayato Inamura completes Celtic switch as defender aims to be next Japanese star to shine at Parkhead

Celtic have completed the signing of Japanese defender Hayato Inamura on a four-year deal from J1 League side Albirex Niigata.

The 23-year-old becomes Brendan Rodgers’ fifth signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Kieran Tierney, Ross Doohan, Callum Osmand and Benjamin Nygren.

‘We’re delighted to bring Hayato to Celtic and we’re looking forward to working with him,’ Rodgers told CelticTV.

‘He’s a young player full of promise and potential. I know that he’s delighted to be taking this next step in his career by joining us, and we look forward to welcoming him into the squad.’

Inamura is the latest in a long line of Japanese players to have made the move to Glasgow, following in the footsteps of Kyogo Furuhashi, Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda.

But it is set-piece specialist Shunsuke Nakamura — who won three Premiership titles at the club under Gordon Strachan — who holds a special place in the new recruit’s heart.

Confirming he would wear the No 25 jersey previously worn by his hero, Inamura said: ‘Many Japanese players have had success at this club.

‘Across the world, this is a massive club and is really well known. I am truly excited to be joining Celtic. It’s a huge opportunity for me.

‘So far, even the current Japanese players have been performing at a high level, I think that is why there are expectations on Japanese players. 

'I really want to live up to those expectations and do my best.

‘The reason why I chose 25 is because out of the options I was given, that one really stood out to me.

‘Then obviously regarding Nakamura, I used to imitate his kicking style when I was a kid. He was one of my favourite players.’

Inamura had two years remaining on his contract with J1 League side Albirex Niigata, and had been an ever-present throughout the 2024-25 campaign.

Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn is close to completing a £16.5million move to Italian side Como, according to reports. The Parkhead club are poised to make a huge profit on the £3m they paid to sign the German winger from Rapid Vienna 18 months ago.

Kuhn, 25, made a slow start to his Celtic career but impressed last season with 21 goals in 51 appearances.

Defender Maik Nawrocki is also set to depart, with reports in Germany stating that the centre-back will join German second-tier side Hannover 96 on loan.

The Pole signed a five-year contract at Parkhead after arriving from Legia Warsaw in the summer of 2023 in a deal worth £4.3m, but he has been unable to displace Cameron Carter-Vickers or Liam Scales at the heart of Rodgers’ backline, making just 18 appearances over two title-winning seasons.

And he has now been given the opportunity for a fresh start in Germany, with the loan deal including an option-to-buy clause.