Former Celtic FC star Kyogo Furuhashi in action against Scottish Premiership foe St Johnstone in an April 2022 file photo. (©REUTERS)
Kyogo Furuhashi lasted just six months in France. He returned to the United Kingdom to play for Birmingham City.
The 30-year-old Japanese striker has transferred from the French Ligue 1 club to the second-tier English Football League Championship.
Furuhashi, who was a prolific scorer for Celtic FC before joining Rennes, has signed a three-year deal with Birmingham City, according to a plethora of media reports. The team's official website on Sunday, July 6, reported that Furuhashi and the team had finalized the deal.
Starting in January 2025, the Nara Prefecture native was on the books for a £10 million GBP (about ¥2 billion JPY, or $13.6 million USD) deal for two-and-a-half-years with Rennes. But Birmingham City identified Furuhashi as a coveted option on offense.
Birmingham City earned promotion to the Championship by winning the 2024-25 League One title in English soccer's third tier.
Locally, the East Anglian Daily Times applauded Birmingham City's decision to pursue Furuhashi at this time.
"The signing is a major statement of intent from Birmingham, who enjoyed a record-breaking promotion season in the third tier last term and are among the favorites to challenge for promotion again in the coming campaign," wrote Mark Heath in an article posted on the newspaper's website.
Excitement for Kyogo Furuhashi
A change of scenery for players can jump-start their motivation for an upcoming season.
Case in point: Kyogo Furuhashi.
"I'm very happy to be here," Furuhashi said in an interview with Birmingham City's official website on July 6 before adding, "I'm looking forward to working together with you all."
Looking back on his past success with the Scottish Premiership's Celtic FC ― including four consecutive league titles in his four seasons with the club (2021-25) ― Furuhashi talked about the excitement he feels in playing against quality opponents and in important matches.
"I get fired up more in bigger games, but I score goals because of teammates, so I'm grateful for that," Furuhashi, who only appeared in six Rennes matches, said in the interview.
He added, "I'd like to achieve the same here, and hopefully my goals will make everyone happy."
During his tenure with Celtic FC, Furuhashi was a prolific scorer, playing an integral role in the team's success. In addition to the four straight Scottish Premiership titles, the Glasgow-based team also won a trio of Scottish League Cups and a pair of Scottish Cups.
In the 2022-23 season, Furuhashi was No 1 in the Premiership with 27 goals. And he put the ball in the net 85 times in his 165 Celtic appearances.
Expectations for Kyogo Furuhashi
What is Furuhashi's primary goal with his new team?
"I'm here to help the team," he told the team's website, adding, "I'd like to express what I can do on the pitch."
Looking at the big picture, he also spelled out a more specific goal for the upcoming 2025-26 season.
"I don't want to talk a lot, but there's a chance that we can go up to the Premier League," Furuhashi stated. "We all want to aim for that and after nine months, it will be great if we share the happiness of achieving that."
Birmingham City opens its Championship campaign at home on August 8 against Ipswich Town.
Another Japanese Acquisition for Birmingham City
Midfielder Kanya Fujimoto, who previously suited up for Portuguese club Gil Vicente, has signed a three-year contract with Birmingham City, the team announced on Monday, July 7.
Fujimoto, 26, had 10 goals in 30 matches for Gil Vicente in the 2024-25 season.
Compatriot Tomoki Iwata, also a midfielder, is entering his second season with Birmingham City.
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Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.
