Celtic’s next signing could be another Japanese striker.
Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda have been massive success stories at Parkhead, and both were signed for very little under Ange Postecoglou.
It will be the same for Shin Yamada if his proposed £1.5m switch from Kawasaki Frontale is confirmed, with a medical said to be imminent.
Yamada is currently playing for Japan at the EAFF E-1 Football Championship and it has been reported that his move to Celtic will gather pace after the tournament.
Chris Sutton gave his verdict of Hayato Inamura on Friday, so what does he think of Celtic’s pursuit of Shin Yamada?
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Sutton speaks on Celtic target Yamada for the first time
Writing in his Daily Record column, Sutton is holding fire on judging Yamada too much, but doesn’t sound convinced the forward can come straight in and lead the line for the Hoops.
Sutton said: “As for the latest striker target, is Shin Yamada going to be the long-awaited replacement for Kyogo? We’ll have to wait and see about that too.
At £1.5m Yamada isn’t going to break the bank and he might turn out to be another smash hit. No one expected Maeda to become the superstar he now is when he arrived for a similar fee a few years ago.
“I would hold fire on making comparisons between Yamada and Kyogo though.
“Kyogo had a stronger track record in the J League for a start. Yamada was prolific in 2024, when he scored more than 20 goals for the season.
“But he’s only managed a couple in 2025. Likewise in 2023, his goal return wasn’t too much to shout about.
“On paper and in clips, he does look a similar type of player to Kyogo. He likes to play on the shoulder and ghost into space, and his best work comes in the penalty area.
“Like Kyogo, he can drift out of games while he waits for his opportunity. He could be a useful addition for Celtic.
“He has some pedigree with one cap for his country – and winning a single cap is always the sign of a top player… But will he be ready to be the main striker? It’s debatable.”
Yamada concerned by his own form
If you’re not convinced by a striker’s goal record before a signing is made, it’s not great when you also hear the player admits he’s in poor form.
That’s exactly what Yamada has said about his 2025 season so far for Kawasaki Frontale.
He’s only scored two J1 League goals since the calendar year campaign began and he hasn’t been a regular starter either, making just 12 starts.
Yamada last scored for his club side in March when they beat FC Tokyo. Sutton’s gut instinct about the striker, therefore, can’t really be argued at this point.
However, time will tell and he could prove every Celtic fan wrong if he indeed signs for just £1.5m this summer.
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