Fourth Summer Signing
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Celtic is on the verge of making their first significant signing of the summer transfer window with the expected arrival of Hayato Inamura, a defender from Albirex Niigata. The 23-year-old has reportedly completed a transfer to the Scottish Premiership club, which will soon announce his move to Glasgow. Following the free signings of Ross Doohan, Callum Osmand, and Kieran Tierney, Inamura will be the first player to arrive through a transfer fee this summer. The question now is: Who is this young defender, and can he contribute to Brendan Rodgers’ ambitions for domestic success next season?
Who is Hayato Inamura?
Having made his senior debut for Albirex Niigata just last year, there’s still much to learn about Celtic’s newest player. Despite Inamura’s market value being set at €300k and having only 28 senior league appearances under his belt, he’s certainly not an unknown figure. His journey has unfolded intriguingly, seeing him rise to the professional ranks in Japan recently. Yuta Izawa, a J.League expert from Transfermarkt, commented, “He was still a university student when he emerged as one of the J.League’s most promising centre-backs last season.”
Inamura was recognized as a designated special player in the J.League while still in his third year at Toyo University and was set to join Albirex Niigata for the 2025 season. Although he didn’t feature that year, 2024 marked a turning point for him. He debuted in Matchday 10 against FC Tokyo, appearing in 12 league matches and contributing significantly in the Levain Cup, where he played in seven matches and helped his team secure a runner-up finish. This year, he played a key role in Toyo University’s victory at the All Japan University Championship, and since joining Albirex Niigata, he has not only made 16 appearances but also scored his first professional goal in June, despite the team facing challenges in the lower league standings.
His rising talent did not go unnoticed, attracting interest from larger clubs in Europe, including Celtic. The club has a solid track record of recruiting Japanese players, whether directly from Japan or those already competing in European leagues, with notable signings like Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi, and Shunsuke Nakamura. Could Inamura be yet another successful addition to Celtic from Japan, ready to embrace the challenges of Scottish football?
How good is Hayato Inamura?
Izawa highlighted Inamura’s key strengths: “His one-on-one defending and speed have proven effective at the J.League level, complemented by his impressive vision for passes and technical skill on the ball.” As a left-footed centre-back, he can deliver accurate vertical passes and long balls similar to a playmaker, while also possessing the confidence to join attacking plays at strategic moments. It remains to be seen whether Inamura will step directly into Rodgers’ first team or be loaned out for further experience in European football. Nonetheless, he arrives at Celtic with an impressive reputation.
This news is likely to excite Celtic supporters, as the team not only seeks new talent at centre back but players who can also facilitate attacks from deep positions. Given Celtic’s dominance in the league, their defenders often assume playmaking responsibilities as well. Inamura appears well-suited to meet these expectations. However, Izawa adds a note of caution regarding his physicality and passing precision in Scotland, stating, “While Inamura’s J.League experience is still developing, it will be fascinating to see how his skills translate under manager Rodgers’ guidance.”