Kyogo Furuhashi’s agent has shed light on the Japanese striker’s shock January departure from Celtic, revealing that the move to Rennes was driven by ambitions of a World Cup rather than financial gain.
Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi arrives at the stadium before the match Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
Furuhashi, who became a fan favourite at Celtic with his knack for scoring big goals in big games, left the club mid-season. His sudden exit sparked debate among fans, particularly given Celtic’s failure to secure a direct replacement before the transfer window closed.
Speaking to The Sunday Times, Joel Pannick explained that Kyogo had interest from clubs around the world, many offering lucrative deals. However, the desire to compete in a better-recognised league, especially with the 2026 World Cup in mind.
“We had teams from all over the world express interest,” he said to The Sunday Times.
“There are certain markets where it would have been a very lucrative contract, but what sporting ambitions would realistically be achieved, particularly with the World Cup in mind in 18 months?
“Then we had to speak to Celtic to understand their perspective because a club has no desire to lose their best player halfway through the season.”
Pannick also confirmed that discussions had been ongoing for two months before the move was completed.
Celtic ultimately sanctioned the sale—much to the frustration of fans and pundits like Chris Sutton, who criticised the club for not securing a replacement.
Furuhashi’s exit left a gaping hole in Celtic’s attack, with the responsibility now falling on Adam Idah, Johnny Kenny, and Daizen Maeda to fill the void. While Idah has shown promising form recently, many believe Celtic’s decision to let Kyogo leave without proper cover was a huge gamble, especially with key fixtures in the Champions League and domestic competitions looming.
Regardless of the circumstances surrounding his exit, Kyogo’s legacy at Celtic is secure. His goals scored, and memories created have ensured he left as one of the most beloved players in recent years.
Call me old fashioned, but I think that loyalty should always come before ambition. Celtic took Kyogo from obscurity and gave him a huge platform, which he took full advantage of with his ability. He was in a big team at a club where he was loved by the fans. He was competing in the Champions League and could easily have ended his career at Celtic. He’s never going to make the world cup at his age, unless he plays just a bit part, so it makes us wonder why he would sacrifice loyalty to the club that brought him so far just to please the old git that runs his national team and appears to have utter disdain for Scottish football, although it didn’t stop Maida from getting a game for Japan. I thank Kyogo for his goals while at Celtic but I now see him in a completely different light and wish him good riddance. He’s gone to a team fighting relegation in France, a team whose maximum home support is 27,000. Quite how that makes him a better candidate for selection for Japan is anyone’s guess. But, as I say, good riddance to Kyogo who dumped Celtic in mid-season when they really needed him. I have no particular interest in him after what he done.
Who is he trying to kid?
Maida & Hatate have no problem getting selected for their National team while playing for Celtic so claiming that going to Rennes to get into a dogfight to try to avoid relegation, is bettering Kyogo’s chances of being selected, is rubbish.
Why not just be honest? Kyogo is 30yrs old and his playing career has to be nearing an end in the next few years so no-one can blame him for seeking to double or treble his wage in order to enhance his financial security when he retires. He was an excellent servant to Celtic so good luck to him.
Letting him leave mid-season does seem strange as he was under contract but presumably the deal to bring Jota back meant the transfers had to happen in January.
It’s early days but if Jota gets back to his old form with us and Maida continues the amazing goal-scoring form he’s been in this last few games then Kyogo will hardly be missed and the January window will have proved to have been an astute piece of business.
Here’s hoping.
As with Ange, Kyogo and many many others, the grass is always greener ( untill you get there ),