Kyogo Furuhashi joins Rennes and breaks silence on Celtic exit, general manager hails ‘fine career’ at Parkhead

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Kyogo Furuhashi has officially left Celtic for Rennes.

The Japanese striker has now joined the Ligue 1 club after three-and-a-half-years at Celtic saw Kyogo score 85 goals and win eight trophies including a treble during his time at Celtic Park.

Rennes announced the news on their social media page almost immediately after Jota returned to Celtic and it’s a move that has delighted the 30-year-old and his general manager, Arnaud Pouille.

Celtic will bank around £10m for Kyogo but for the Japan international, it means a fresh start as he explains his reasons for leaving the Glasgow club.

• READ MORE: Jota ‘excited’ as Celtic announce return, the ‘crucial’ role Brendan Rodgers played

Kyogo Furuhashi explains the real reason for leaving Celtic for Rennes

Kyogo told the Rennes official website, “I’m really looking forward to discovering Stade Rennais and my new teammates. I hope to make a rapid contribution to the team’s performance.

“After some great years with Celtic, I was looking for a new challenge in a recognized league. Physically and technically, the league is very competitive.

“The coach and directors have expressed their desire to see me bring my qualities and experience to the table.

“The club is not in the position it has been for the last few seasons, and our aim is to climb back up the league table. I feel ready to give my all with Rennes.

Rennes general manager hails Kyogo’s ‘fine’ Celtic career

General manager, Pouille added, “The arrival of Kyogo is the desire of an entire club. He has a technical profile that will strengthen the dressing room.

“He joins us after a fine career with Celtic and a number of trophies won in Scotland. He leaves us with some very fond memories of his time there, and I hope he will enjoy the same level of efficiency and success on the pitch with Stade Rennais.

“He’s a very generous player with a great sense of team spirit. Kyogo has played over 30 games this season, so he certainly has the pace needed at the very highest level.”

No doubt the sight of Kyogo in the red and black of Rennes will be strange to the Celtic supporters who are used to seeing him adorn the green and white Hoops.

However, the club moves on and with the arrival of Jota, Brendan Rodgers has secured an ‘incredible’ talent for Celtic as the Hoops boss looks forward to seeing in the second half of the season with the Portuguese winger on-board.