Celtic Football Club have announced their fifth signing of the summer window, completing the acquisition of promising Japanese defender Hayato Inamura from Albirex Niigata. The 20-year-old center-back has agreed to a four-year deal with the Scottish champions, in a move that strengthens Celtic’s long-term defensive options and deepens the club’s connection to Japanese footballing talent.
Inamura, regarded as one of the rising defensive stars in the J.League, is the latest in a series of Japanese players to make the journey to Parkhead following in the footsteps of Shunsuke Nakamura, Kyogo Furuhashi, Reo Hatate, and Daizen Maeda. In a symbolic gesture sure to excite fans, Inamura has opted to wear the number 25 jersey, a number famously worn by Nakamura during his iconic spell at Celtic Park.
“I know what number 25 means here,” Inamura said in his first club interview. “Nakamura-san is a legend for Japanese players, and I want to honour his legacy while creating my own path.”
The signing was met with enthusiasm by Celtic supporters and warmly welcomed by current first-team forward Daizen Maeda, who was on hand to greet his new teammate and help ease his transition into life in Glasgow. Maeda, who has become a fan favourite for his tireless energy and dedication, is expected to play a key mentorship role in helping Inamura settle into his new surroundings both on and off the pitch.
“It’s great to see another talented player from Japan joining the club,” Maeda said. “Hayato has strong potential. He’s young but fearless, and Celtic is the perfect place for him to grow.”
While Inamura has already started training with the squad during pre-season, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has hinted that the defender might go out on loan for the upcoming season. The aim would be to provide Inamura with regular first-team football in a competitive environment while allowing him to adapt gradually to the physical demands of the Scottish game.
“He’s a player for the future,” Rodgers noted during a press conference. “We see real promise in Hayato, and we’ll make the right decision that benefits both him and the team in the long run.”
Inamura is known for his calm composure on the ball, positional awareness, and maturity well beyond his years. While fans may need to wait to see him in regular first-team action, his arrival is yet another signal of Celtic’s strategic planning—investing in young international talent while maintaining a strong competitive edge domestically and in Europe.
With the summer transfer window still open, Celtic are expected to remain active in the market. But for now, the capture of Inamura adds another exciting chapter to the club’s growing Japanese legacy—one filled with both nostalgia and hope for the future.
Welcome to Paradise, Hayato Inamura.
