Celtic are reportedly targeting Hayato Inamura, a 23-year-old Japanese defender from Albirex Niigata, as they continue to tap into the Asian market in the post-Ange Postecoglou era. Inamura, who honed his skills at Maebashi Ik HS and Toyo University, joined Albirex as a designated special player.
Last season, he made 19 appearances, mostly as a substitute in J1 League matches, but played every minute of Albirex’s run to the J League Cup final, where they lost to Nagoya Grampus in a tie-breaker.
His performances have earned him a regular starting role in the 2025 campaign, catching Celtic’s eye despite Albirex’s poor league form.
Celtic’s forays into Japan have yielded mixed results. Players like Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi, and Reo Hatate have been pivotal to the club’s resurgence since Rangers’ 2020-21 Premiership title, but others, including Yosuke Ideguchi, Tomoki Iwata, and Yuki Kobayashi, struggled to make an impact under Postecoglou or current manager Brendan Rodgers. Inamura, however, could be a shrewd addition to Rodgers’ long-term vision.
A left-footed centre-back with the versatility to play left fullback, he offers depth and flexibility. With Greg Taylor and Jeffrey Schlupp no longer at the club, Celtic need a reliable deputy for Kieran Tierney, and Inamura fits the bill.
The Bhoys have extensively scouted the Far East in recent years, and Inamura’s emergence makes him a compelling target. While Celtic’s defense is currently well-stocked, the young defender’s potential could bolster their squad for the future.
As the transfer window progresses, it remains to be seen whether Celtic will secure Inamura’s signature and continue their successful recruitment from the J1 League.
If successful, this move could further solidify their strategy of blending emerging Asian talent with their Scottish core, keeping them competitive in the Premiership and beyond. The coming weeks will reveal how Celtic’s transfer plans unfold.
