Shin Yamada tight-lipped on transfer amid Celtic links

Reported Celtic target Shin Yamada refused to comment on the transfer rumours linking him with a switch to the Scottish champions…

The 25-year-old forward has been linked with a £1.5 million move from the J-League to Celtic Park. Brendan Rodgers has reportedly identified the Kawasaki Frontale striker as a target this summer to strengthen the Hoops’ forward options.

Yamada netted 19 times in Japan’s top-flight

Last season, Yamada netted 19 times in Japan’s top-flight and he still has a year and a half remaining on his contract with Kawasaki. After Sunday’s training session, Yamada was questioned by local Japanese media outlet Sponichi regarding the reported interest from Celtic. Remaining tight-lipped, he said: “Right now, I just want to do my best in the next game.”

In Frontale’s upcoming league match, Yamada may face off against another player who is strongly linked to be heading to Celtic Park. Celtic are also pursuing 23-year-old defender Hayato Inamura.

In recent seasons, most prominently under Ange Postecoglou, Celtic have frequently scouted Asia to strengthen their squad, enjoying success with Japanese signings such as Kyogo, Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate and they may view Yamada as the next promising addition. While it’s still uncertain if a transfer will materialise, the striker seems to be attracting interest across Europe.

Meanwhile, at the top end of the pitch, the Hoops are poised to sign Fulham prospect Callum Osmand this summer, with the 19-year-old expected to have an opportunity to compete for a place in the first team.

Though the transfer window only just opened last Monday, targets like Yamada highlight Celtic’s proactive approach and forward planning which has been crucially missing from transfer windows since Rodgers walked back through the door two years ago.

Whether the Yamada deal comes to fruition or not, speculation around players in different markets is a positive sign as the club prepares for another important campaign both in domestic and European competition.

Conor Spence

Nygren’s incoming now Celtic linked with Japanese striker…

Celtic look to have completed their third signing of the summer transfer window with the news, as we reported last night on The Celtic Star – ‘Major Fabrizio Romano update in Celtic pursuit of Nygren’ – that Benjamin Nygren has finalised his move to Celtic from Danish club Nordsjælland for €1.5m transfer fee.

With confirmation from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano the transfer window equivalent of white smoke emanating from Celtic Park, we can pretty much call that one both a done deal and a great bit of business from Celtic.

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🚨⚪️🟢 Benjamin Nygren to Celtic, here we go! Deal done with Nordsjælland for €1.5m transfer fee.

Contract until June 2029 plus option until 2030. pic.twitter.com/eIn52Guodj

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 21, 2025

Now hot on the heels of Nygren signing on to bolster Celtic’s attacking options, the Hoops have been linked with J-League striker Shin Yamada.

Shin Yamada plays for Reo Hatate’s former club Kawasaki Frontale

Shin Yamada currently plays for Reo Hatate’s former club Kawasaki Frontale and last season finished as the 3rd highest scorer in the J-League, scoring 18 goals.

This season however has been a bit more underwhelming on the goals front with six goals in 31 appearances. He has been called up to the Japanese Under 23 squad but has yet to make an appearance at national team level.

The striker’s contract expires in January 2027, and it is believed Celtic could secure his services for as little as £1.5m.

Whilst Yamada’s 2024 season caught the eye, there will of course be some reservations that such a season was a flash in the pan, as this season the goals have dried up to an extent. However, with his club playing across three competitions including the Asian Champions League, there may be a level of mitigation offered to the striker.

Yamada is no stranger to silverware either

Shin Yamada is no stranger to silverware either, with the striker having already lifted the Emperor’s Cup and the Japanese Super Cup, and his stats also make for impressive reading.

Yamada was first for non-penalty goals plus assists at 0.89 per 90minutes in 2024, and top for goals and assists per 90 at 0.98 last season and third in the J-League for shots on target per 90 minutes at 1.66.

Overall, the striker has grabbed 25 goals in 83 J-League appearances and nine goals in 11 appearances in The Emperors Cup, meanwhile at Champions League level the 25-year-old striker scored two goals in 12 appearances.

You can certainly understand why Celtic would be interested in Yamada, particularly based on what appeared to be his break-out season, however there will be some nagging doubts that season was perhaps an outlier, given his goalscoring form both prior to 2024 and this season.

He looks the ideal striker to play against low block defences

That said Yamada looks like a powerful runner, a good finisher from close range and he shields the ball and progresses the ball well from deep positions. In fact, he looks the ideal striker to play against low block defences, something Celtic are very much crying out for.

Whether Celtic press the button on this transfer window remains to be seen as his club side are very much in the middle of their season right now, so it may well be one to keep an eye on for the January transfer window where a transfer may be more possible and the player will have just one year left on his contract.

Niall J

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