I suppose you could regard Shin Yamada as a rather underwhelming Celtic signing, but there have been plenty like him who have gone on to do great things in the Hoops, like Ľubomír Moravčík for instance…
Kawasaki Frontale’s Shin Yamada during the 2025 J1 League match between Kawasaki Frontale 4-0 Nagoya Grampus at Uvance Todoroki Stadium by Fujitsu in Kanagawa, Japan, February 15, 2025. Photo IMAGO
Other will be prepared to trust the process and regard Shin Yamada as an interesting signing who may well follow in the footsteps of Kyogo Furuhashi, Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate as being major performers for Celtic and all coming it at unbelievable prices.
Shin Yamada appears to be highly regarded in Japan and he is one we will give our full backing to when he arrives at the club, probably within the next seven days.
Celtic have reportedly raiding the J league once again, this time for centre forward Shin Yamanda for a fee of £1.5 million from Kawasaki Frontale, that’s Reo Hatate’s old club.
Shin Yamada Frontale, MARCH 30, 2024 – Football / Soccer : Shin Yamada of Frontale celebrates his first goal during 2024 J1 League match match between Kawasaki Frontale – FC Tokyo at Uvance Todoroki Stadium by Fujitsu, Kanagawa, Japan. Photo IMAGO
We are of course in need of strengthening the centre forward area, but it goes without saying that he’s not the man we were all hoping for.
With a career record of 37 goals in 123 games the 25 year old hardly screams ‘prolific’ striker, but is obviously the club’s choice to replace Kyogo Furuhashi, and Yamada will compete with Adam Idah, Callum Osmand and Johnny Kenny or the centre forward spot.
Watching clips of the player suggests he’s more of a versatile forward, one who likes to play in and around the box, and is tidy with the ball at his feet, so he could well be a player who comes into Brendan’s plans more often than not.
However the signing of Yamada doesn’t mask our disappointment of failing to land a proven striker from a much higher level. Don’t get me wrong I hope he has the same impact as Kyogo or Daizen Maeda, and like every other new signing he deserves our full backing once he pulls on those famous green and white hoops.
Kawasaki Frontale’s Shin Yamada during the 2025 J1 League match between Kawasaki Frontale 4-0 Nagoya Grampus at Uvance Todoroki Stadium by Fujitsu in Kanagawa, Japan, February 15, 2025. Photo IMAGO
It just seems like a very underwhelming addition until we see him play then he’ll get our full support and every encouragement to make a name for himself alongside his international teammates Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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