Albirex Niigata release 51 word statement as Celtic target exits J-League

Earlier in the day, the usually accurate, Joseph reported that Celtic had gone as far as booking a medical for the 23-year-old Albirex Niigata player, and late last night, that story picked up serious momentum when Inamura’s club themselves confirmed the player had officially left the team on Sunday to facilitate a move abroad.

‘Celtic transfer target ‘exits club’

Via The Scotsman: ‘Celtic transfer target ‘exits club’ as 51-word statement leaves little doubt over outcome, here’s what Albirex Niigata had to say…

“We would like to inform you that Hayato Inamura (23), a member of our club, left the team on June 29th in order to complete the necessary procedures and preparations for a transfer to an overseas club. We will notify you of Inamura’s future once an official decision has been made.”

If the writing wasn’t already on the wall, that statement underlines what most of us now expect – Inamura is Parkhead bound, and Celtic are on the verge of sealing their fourth signing of the summer window.

Now comes the question: what exactly is the plan for Inamura? Is this a player Brendan Rodgers sees as first-team ready, or are we witnessing a signing made with the future in mind?

There’s a precedent here, of course

There’s a precedent here, of course. Celtic fans will remember how Kris Ajer and Ryan Christie both arrived young, hungry, and with plenty of promise – but were sent out for crucial loan spells at Kilmarnock and Aberdeen respectively, to bed them into the demands of Scottish football. Both returned better, stronger, and ready to make a mark – with Ajer going on to become a treble winner and Christie also starred in Rodgers’ first stint. Inamura, we’re told, is a versatile defender comfortable at full-back and centre-half, who might well benefit from a similar path.

With Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales having ended last season as Brendan’s first picks and Auston Trusty likely to come back to pre-season training with a point to prove, it wouldn’t surprise anyone if Inamura’s first steps as a Celt involve a pre-season run-out followed by a strategic loan move, perhaps to the likes of St Mirren or Dundee, where competitive minutes can be guaranteed.

Rodgers might just decide he’s a squad player worth keeping close

That said, the Japanese market has proven time and again to yield players ready to adapt quickly, and if Inamura hits the ground running – as Kyogo, Hatate, and Maeda did – Rodgers might just decide he’s a squad player worth keeping close, and may see a player profile worth experimenting with as Kieran Tierney’s understudy over the course of pre-season.

While some sections of the support have been restless for first team ready signings, it’s hard to argue that Celtic aren’t being deliberate and hopefully smart in their summer dealings so far.

Kieran Tierney walks into this Celtic team

Kieran Tierney walks into this Celtic team, Ross Doohan sounds like he’ll be happy to pick up Scott Bain’s very limited minutes and Benjamin Nygren looks ready to stake a claim to a starting shirt from day one, and Inamura could well be a signing that pays off further down the line, but it may just be immediate if he can impress in pre-season.

Should the medical go to plan, and official confirmation follows, we’ll be welcoming yet another Japanese talent into the fold – and if recent history is anything to go by, that’s something that could be very good news.

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