Japanese outlet reporting Hayato Inamura set for Celtic medical

Hot on the heels of Stephen McGowan, now of the Herald linking Celtic with the player, it appears Japanese media are also reporting on the same story.

Japanese daily Sports newspaper Sponichi Annex is reporting ‘multiple sources’ are stating ‘negotiations are progressing smoothly’ and that ‘the official contract is due to be signed after a local medical check’.

Bear in mind the text has been translated and the following turn of phrase is not my own…more’s the pity!

Niigata’s big rookie, Junto Inamura, to transfer to Celtic; left-footed CB with a reputation for kicking accuracy

By the 16th, it was decided that Scottish Premier League powerhouse Celtic would acquire Niigata’s big rookie, defender Hayato Inamura (23). According to multiple sources, negotiations are progressing smoothly, and the official contract is scheduled to be signed after a local medical check.

Although Inamura, who is 182 cm tall, has no experience playing for the national team, he is a left-footed centre back (CB) who is highly regarded for the accuracy of his left-footed kicks.

He switched to CB in the summer of his second year at Maebashi Ikuei High School, and joined Toyo University as a member from his first year, where he led the team to their first victory in the All Japan University Championship in December of last year in his final year.

He has played as a special designated player for Niigata since last season, appearing in 12 league games. He also contributed to the team’s runner-up finish in the Levain Cup. In his first year as a professional this season, he has been a regular starter since the opening game.

Celtic, who won the League Cup and league this season, have Japan national team striker Maeda and midfielder Hatate on their roster. Local media Herald also reported on the same day that “Celtic are moving forward with a surprise transfer for Japanese defender Inamura.”

Inamura Hayato: Born May 6, 2002 (Heisei 14), 23 years old, from Tokyo. Started soccer at the age of five, played for FC Tokyo U-15 Fukagawa, Maebashi Ikuei, and Toyo University. In his third year, he was offered a position with Niigata in 2023. He can kick long feeds without stepping. His favourite player is Johan Cruyff. He is 182 cm tall and weighs 72 kg. He is left-footed.

Sponichi Annex Reporting Team

This of course could be a case of the Japanese media picking up on The Herald’s article from this morning. However it is interesting to read ‘multiple sources’ as it is my understanding Japanese publications are fairly strict, and a bit less sensationalist than the UK mainstream press, when it comes to going to print. Whether that extends to online publications I am unsure.

That all said I’d be tempted to say there may very well be something in this story, especially on the back of Stephen McGowan’s article claiming something similar but with a bit less meat on the bone, earlier on this morning.

It will be interesting to see how this one develops. He certainly looks like a good footballing centre half, from his online clip, but it’s impossible to judge his physicality in the challenge or his overall defensive profile from such a small sample size.

If he is indeed at the medical stage then assuming no mishaps there, Inamura Hayato could be a Celtic player imminently.