Reo Hatate

The versatile 24-year-old, who can play in a number of position, joins Celtic from Kawasaki Frontale, having helped them win the J-League for the second successive year. He was also named in the J-League Best XI of the 2021 season alongside his new Celtic team-mate, Daizen Maeda. Reo Hatate was also selected to represent Japan at the recent Olympic Games, held in the summer in Japan. And he helped his country reach the last four of the tournament, though they lost out in the bronze medal match to Mexico. Reo will also be joining Celtic on a 4 and a half year contract.

It is hoped all players will be joining up with the Celtic squad across the next few days.

A delighted Celtic manager, Ange Postecoglou, said: “We are really pleased to bring in these guys to Celtic and I think they are players who will excite our fans.

"Clearly I am well aware of their attributes and I think in bringing all three to the club we are bringing even more quality, personality and energy to the squad to work with the players who have done so well for us already this season.

“They are all really at the peak of their careers, ambitious to achieve more success and I am sure at this particular time we will be getting their best years. I am delighted to have secured these players so early in the transfer window, I look forward to working with them and myself, my backroom team and the rest of the squad will be making sure we help them settle into Celtic as quickly as possible.”

Everyone at Celtic joins Ange in welcoming these new players to the Club.














This time, I will be completely transferred to Celtic FC. I started my professional life at Frontale and played for two years at this club. It seemed to be very long and it was a short period of time, but thanks to the director, staff, and teammates, I experienced a lot of things. Every day was fun and exciting. If I hadn't chosen Frontale when I entered the pros, I think a player in his second year of college wouldn't have had this much experience. I'm really glad I was able to play with this team and I am grateful to all the clubs for their warm welcome. And in a difficult situation, many supporters came to see the Frontale game. You created a warm atmosphere, and I felt the hot feeling in that warmth. I wondered if they really like soccer and really like Frontale. I was really looking forward to playing at Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium. I will be playing with a different team from next season. As a soccer player, as a person, I would like to take on the challenge of growing up. I would be very grateful if you could take care of me as well as Frontale, and I myself support Frontale's third consecutive league title and ACL victory. And Kaoru (Kaoru Mitoma) was also talking about it, but I'd be happy if one day I could hear my cheering song live at Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium. Let's do our best with each other. Thank you so much for two years. "

 

Welcome..

I wonder if Ange has him in mind as LB on occasion, in his system pretty much a midfielder anyway.

 

Cannot wait to see this boy..

Buzzing..

 

Genuinely excited by these signings, could be the best January ever

 

He's the one I'm desperate to see, he looks real quality on the ball, a midfielder who can dominate the game.

 

Delighted and Excited

 

Welcome

 

* delighted.

I'm away to post this on Maeda and Ideguchi's threads now.

 

Think he’ll be the best of the three.

 

I can’t wait to see him play for Celtic, this is the signing I wanted over the line the most

 

I'm told Southampton are interested in him already

 

Buzzing

 

fair play

 

If he can go beyond the front 3 at pace, what an asset that would be..

 

Takes the number 67 jersey and follows in big footsteps...

 

Great news getting signings in early.

If they are half as good as Kyogo we’ve won a watch.

Now let’s get a few more in the door and win this league.