Farewell Kyogo it’s been a pleasure – He’ll enjoy ‘doing his thing’ at Rennes

Farewell Kyogo it’s been a pleasure. You owe us nothing, all the very best in your future endeavours ‘doing your thing’ in French football…

Kyogo signs for Rennes
Kyogo signs for Rennes. Photo Rennes FC

Today we bid a fond Farewell to Kyogo Furuhashi who joined French side Rennes in a £10 million deal. it’s been an absolute pleasure to have Kyogo don those famous green and white hoops these past three and a half years, three and a half years that have brought nothing but success.

Kyogo – The Best since Larsson

Regarded by many as the best since Henrik Larsson, the little Japanese genius made 165 appearances, scoring 85 goals, and winning eight domestic honours in Scottish football.

Kyogo at Rennes
Rennes annonce Kyogo. Photo Rennes FC

A big game player for Celtic 

He scored goals in Glasgow Derby games, goals in cup finals, goals in Europe, he did it all and gave his all for Celtic, as indeed he will now do for Rennes.  Not only a supreme goalscorer, he was an all round great footballer who worked so hard for the team, and is a genuinely decent human being.

We will miss his ability, his enthusiasm for the beautiful game and that cheeky smile. However in football heroes come and go, and Kyogo feels the he’s at a stage of his career that he needs to move on, and we can only wish him all the best.

Celtic’s loss will clearly be Rennes gain

He leaves owing Celtic nothing and we owe him plenty. Celtic’s loss will clearly be Rennes gain, but life goes on, that’s football. All the best Kyogo, you will always be welcome at Celtic Park. Now go show the French just how good you are!

Kyogo speaks about his move from Celtic to Rennes

“I’m really looking forward to getting to know Stade Rennais and my new team-mates. I hope to make a rapid contribution to the team’s performance.

Kyogo celebrates
UEFA Champions League Celtic Glasgow vs Young Boys Bern, Celtic Park. Goal celebration by Kyogo Furuhashi however VAR rules out the goal. Photo Joeran Steinsiek IMAGO

“After some great years with Celtic, I was looking for a new challenge in a recognised league. Physically and technically, the league is very competitive. The coach and the directors told me how much they wanted me to bring my qualities and experience.

“The club is not in the position it has been in for the last few seasons, and our objective will be to climb back up the league table. I feel ready to give my all with Rennes.”

Arnaud Pouille, Executive Chairman and Managing Director at Stade Rennais, added: “The arrival of Kyogo is the wish of the whole club. He has a technical profile that will strengthen the changing room.

Kyogo celebrates
UEFA Champions League Celtic Glasgow vs Young Boys Bern, Celtic Park. Goal celebration by Kyogo Furuhashi however VAR rules out the goal. Photo Joeran Steinsiek IMAGO

“He joins us after a fine period with Celtic and a number of trophies won in Scotland. He left behind some very fond memories there, and I hope that he will enjoy the same level of efficiency and success on the pitch with Stade Rennais.

“He’s a very generous player with a great sense of team spirit. Kyogo has played more than 30 games this season, so he certainly has the pace needed at the very highest level.”

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About Author

An ordinary everyday Celtic supporters hailing and still residing in Govan in the shadows of the enemy. I’m a season ticket holder. I Witnessed my first Celtic game in 1988 and have attended when I can ever since. Growing up in the 90s I witnessed Celtic at their lowest, and now appreciate the historic success we enjoy today. I enjoy writing about this wonderful football club and hopefully will continue to do so. I’ve always been a keen writer and initially started this a hobby. My ambition is to one day become as good an author as my fellow Celtic Star colleagues.

2 Comments

  1. Martin Blackshaw on

    I’m not quite as forgiving as the author of this piece, or doubtless many other Celtic fans. I think any player who ditches his team in the middle of the season thinks more about himself than the club and fans who have supported him. Kyogo could easily have stayed until summer and maybe even found himself a truly great club, a step up, to go to. Instead, he goes to lowly Rennes in France’ Ligue One relegation zone with nowhere near the history of Celtic and half the support in terms of numbers. I’ll never figure out how anyone could call such a move positive.

    Kyogo is a great player and we will surely miss him, but, for me, he’s no “legend” like Henrick Larsson. Henrick had his choice of top clubs in Europe but stayed 7 years with Celtic, such was his gratitude and loyalty. Others are in it for themselves but legends put the club and fans first and that’s why there are so few of that calibre. I wish Kyogo good luck, but his method of departing has left a bitter taste and his choosing Rennes over Celtic is, frankly, insulting.