Celtic have a golden transfer opportunity staring them in the face

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Celtic’s transfer needs this summer are clear. Martin O’Neill needs players capable of improving his starting XI immediately.

A player who has won major trophies in Portugal and Japan is currently available for nothing. Celtic should at least be making an enquiry.

With the potential of Arne Engels and Reo Hatate making their Celtic exits this summer, this move offers O’Neill to add quality to the squad with no protracted transfer negotiations.

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Hidemasa Morita has the winning pedigree Celtic need

Hidemasa Morita is available for free after leaving Sporting CP at the end of last season. The 31-year-old would arrive with experience in Portugal, Japan, European and international football.

Capped 41 times for Japan, Morita has had a trophy-laden career so far:

• Two Portuguese league titles with Sporting CP in 2023/24 and 2024/25
• Portuguese Cup with Sporting in 2025
• Two Japanese league titles with Kawasaki Frontale in 2018 and 2020
• Japanese Cup in 2020
• Japanese League Cup in 2019
• Japanese Super Cup in 2019

Celtic already know what Morita can deliver at a title-chasing club. He has the experience to compete for a starting place rather than merely fill a space left by Engels or Hatate.

Morita also has connections inside the Celtic dressing room. Sporting shared footage of him embracing Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda before the clubs met in a pre-season friendly last summer.

The numbers show why Morita could improve Celtic

Morita remained an important midfield option for Sporting despite entering the final year of his contract. His numbers show a player who could contribute both in and out of possession for Celtic:

• 1,834 minutes played
• 86.4% passing accuracy
• 1,029 successful passes
• 62.3% long-ball accuracy
• Four assists
• 20 chances created
• 49 tackles
• 19 interceptions
• 117 recoveries
• 109 defensive contributions
• 58.3% of aerial duels won

There would be serious competition for Morita if Celtic decided to make their move. The midfielder has reportedly rejected offers from clubs in France and the Middle East while training alone, with his preference currently understood to be a move to the Premier League, Spain or Italy as he waits for a proposal that appeals to him.

That does not mean Celtic should not make the call. Morita wants to remain at a high level, and the chance to win trophies, play European football and take on a central role at Parkhead would give the club a good case to put in front of him.

Morita would turn 32 during the season and his wage demands may be substantial. But that should not stop Celtic from finding out whether a deal can be done.

Ignoring a decorated, experienced Japanese international who is available for nothing would be difficult to justify when Martin O’Neill’s squad clearly still needs immediate improvement.