Celtic summer signing named alongside Premier League stars in prestigious award race

By Euan Davidson

January 4, 2022

Celtic star Kyogo Furuhashi has been named as one of the top 10 Asian footballers on the planet in a prestigious award race.

Titan Sports‘ annual Best Footballer in Asia Award was won by Tottenham’s Song Heung-Min. Kyogo, a sensation since joining Celtic, finished an impressive 6th in the voting. Arsenal’s Japanese defender Takehiro Tomiyasu finished 5th.

The Best Footballer in Asia award is comparable to the Ballon D’Or. Players who ply their trade for Asian countries are eligible. Iran were well-represented in the final list with spots 2 and 3, Zenit’s Sardar Azmoun finishing as runner-up.

It’s a considerable addition to Kyogo Furuhashi’s CV since joining Celtic. His impressive form with Vissel Kobe, where he was the J League’s top scorer, counted for a great deal too. But since coming to Scotland, Kyogo has been major news.

His form and popularity, as well as Ange Postecoglou’s knowledge of the J League market, has seen three more Japanese players arrive in Glasgow. Reo Hatate, Yosuke Ideguchi and Daizen Maeda were signed prior to the January window opening.

Of course, Kyogo is unlikely to dislodge South Korean sensation Son in the immediate future. The Asian Games gold medallist has been fantastic for Tottenham Hotspur, scoring 116 goals in 304 Spurs appearances [Transfermarkt]. Kyogo, though, does have time on his side, being 3 years Son’s junior.

Accolades for Celtic star Kyogo, alongside noted Premier League stars, are no surprise

Given his impact this calendar year, for both Vissel Kobe and Celtic, it’s no shock to see Kyogo being celebrated. The aim for 2022 ought to be climbing that top 10, although there’s considerable competition.

Still, if Celtic had the 6th best European player, you get the sense there’d be a lot more fanfare. That Kyogo is considered to be in an entire continent’s top 10 footballers is astonishing, when you consider how many players and leagues Asia boasts.

Needless to say, Kyogo is absolutely adored in Glasgow. In just half a season, and with injuries to contend with, his output has been phenomenal. At the time of writing, he has 16 goals and 5 assists to his name after just 26 games for Celtic [Transfermarkt].

Now with a cohort of J League talents backing him, it’s not unfair to suggest the striker could get even better. While he’s taken no time to adjust to Scotland, the comfort of compatriots around him should only really help. Not only that, the players Ange has signed look like excellent pieces to compliment the star striker.

Specifically Daizen Maeda, who has a similar, bombastic style of play to Kyogo. Reo Hatate, meanwhile, has impressive vision to provide Kyogo with opportunities.

We have the 6th best player in all of Asia. A contemporary of some bona fide Premier League stars.

Hardly bad going.

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