Kyogo Furuhashi’s Departure: How Will Celtic Replace the Japanese Forward, and Could Jota Make a Return?
When Kyogo Furuhashi joined Celtic in 2021, he was relatively unknown, but Ange Postecoglou confidently predicted the Japan international would bring something special to the team. Fast forward to today, and Kyogo leaves as one of Celtic’s most beloved players.
During his time in Scotland, Kyogo emerged as the top scorer in the Scottish Premiership and won eight major trophies across three-and-a-half seasons. His contribution, both on and off the pitch, has left an indelible mark on the club.
Although Kyogo signed a four-year contract extension in 2023, Brendan Rodgers now faces the challenge of filling the void left by the 30-year-old. Could a familiar face, like Jota, be the answer to Celtic’s attacking dilemma?
Will Celtic Miss Kyogo Furuhashi?
The answer is a resounding yes. Kyogo’s presence on the pitch was more than just about scoring goals. He stretched opposition defenses, created space for his teammates, and maintained excellent ball control.
In total, he scored 85 goals in all competitions and provided 19 assists during his Celtic career. This included 56 league goals, more than any other player in the Scottish Premiership during that period. Despite being just 5’5”, Kyogo scored an impressive 12 headers, another league-high statistic.
Kyogo also led the league in shots on target and fast breaks, contributing to over 17% of Celtic’s goals since 2021. For context, Matt O’Riley and Daizen Maeda followed him on that list with contributions 10% lower. His departure undeniably leaves a gap that will be challenging to fill.
Can Celtic Replace Kyogo Furuhashi?
One potential solution lies with a former Celtic star—Jota. The Portuguese winger left Celtic in 2023 for a £25 million move to Al Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League. However, Jota’s time in Saudi Arabia was short-lived due to off-field challenges, leading to a transfer to Rennes in Ligue 1. Unfortunately, things haven’t worked out for Jota in France either, as he’s made only nine league appearances this season.
Now, talks are underway for Jota to return to Celtic, potentially filling the creative void left by Kyogo. While Jota isn’t a direct replacement for the Japanese forward, his skillset could revitalize Celtic’s attack. Jota scored 15 goals and provided 12 assists during his last season at Celtic, helping the club secure a domestic treble.
With Adam Idah back at the club and Daizen Maeda capable of stepping into a central role, Brendan Rodgers has options to restructure his attacking lineup. However, the idea of seeing “Jota on the wing” again is sure to excite fans at Celtic Park.
Celtic’s Pursuit of Louie Barry
In addition to Jota’s potential return, Celtic has held talks with Aston Villa over a deal for winger Louie Barry. The 21-year-old was recalled from his loan spell at Stockport County earlier this month for Unai Emery to evaluate his readiness for first-team football.
While Villa prefers to keep Barry and loan him out for development, Celtic’s interest signals their intent to strengthen the squad further. Barry is also attracting interest from multiple Championship clubs and teams abroad, making this a transfer saga to watch.
