Kawasaki Frontale’s Shin Yamada ‘to move to Celtic’

‘Kawasaki forward Arata Yamada to move to Celtic after E-1 Championship ends… Striker who scored 19 goals last season.

It was revealed on the 8th that Scottish first division club Celtic is close to acquiring Japanese national team forward Arata Yamada (25) of Kawasaki. Scottish media had reported by this day that Yamada may leave Kawasaki after the E-1 Championship (Korea, which ends on the 16th), for which he was selected for the first time. Yamada scored 19 goals last season, third in the J1 League. So far this season, he has scored two goals in the league.

Celtic manager Rodgers (52) was reportedly looking for a replacement striker for striker Kyogo Furuhashi (currently at Birmingham), who left the club in January this year. If the transfer is confirmed, he will be the second Japanese player to join the club this summer, following defender Junto Inamura (23), who joined from Niigata.

Yamada Shin Born on May 30, 2000 in Yokohama. 25 years old. Started playing soccer at age 4. Moved to Toin Yokohama University from Kawasaki’s youth academy, won the All Japan University Championship in his fourth year and was named MVP. Joined Kawasaki in 2011 and scored 25 goals in 86 J1 games. 175cm’.

Yamada, 25, is currently with Kawasaki Frontale, Reo Hatate’s former club – And while some fans might raise an eyebrow at his modest return of two goals so far this season, a little context is important here.

Last season, he was one of the standout performers in the J1 League, bagging an impressive 19 goals – the third-highest tally in the division. Those are impressive numbers, and not to be overlooked in the conversation about what he might bring to Celtic.

His form has earned him a first call-up to the Japanese national side for this month’s E-1 Championship, where he came off the bench at the start of the second half, in Japan’s 6-1 win over Hong Kong. While he didn’t find the net, his presence in a competitive international setup speaks to the level he’s been playing at.

According to reports, Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers sees Yamada as a potential replacement for Kyogo Furuhashi, who left the club in January for Rennes but has since moved to Birmingham City.

It’s a big pair of boots to fill, but if Yamada can rediscover the goalscoring touch he showed last season, Celtic could be adding another talent from the J-League.

Some supporters may understandably have concerns about the dip in his numbers this season, but form is temporary – and Yamada’s overall profile is very promising. He’s perhaps not the tallest striker, but he’s mobile, technically sharp, and intelligent with his movement. He might not be a like-for-like Kyogo, but there are similarities in the way he drifts between the lines and looks to get on the end of chances.

Yamada wouldn’t be the first Japanese addition to Celtic this window, with left sided defender Hayato Inamura, already through the door from Niigata. He made his first appearance in a Celtic shirt last night in the pre-season win over Cork in the Super Cup, featuring for 45 minutes in a 2-1 victory over Cork City.

Inamura looked exactly as advertised – tidy on the ball, tactically switched-on, and very comfortable in possession. He slotted in at left-back and showed a solid positional understanding, although it’s fair to say he wasn’t severely tested defensively in a fairly straightforward first half. Still, early signs were positive, and you get the sense there’s more to come from the young defender once the tempo picks up.

If Yamada does follow him to Glasgow, let’s hope he too can bring his strengths to the fore. With a bit of patience and proper integration into Rodgers’ system, he could be yet another J-League gem uncovered by the Celtic scouting department.

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