‘Contacted me’ – Kyogo reveals the ex-Celtic midfielder who encouraged Birmingham City move

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It’s fantastic to see Kyogo Furuhashi with a smile back on his face.

During his Birmingham City unveiling, the Japanese striker looked refreshed and raring to go after a torrid spell with Stade Rennais.

Kyogo played just six times without scoring after Celtic sold him for £10m in January. Now, Rennes have recouped that fee by selling him to the Blues.

Kyogo trained with Birmingham for the first time in Portugal on Wednesday, and has now been speaking to Japanese media about why he chose the Blues.

• READ MORE: The salary that forgotten Celtic man without a single first team appearance is being offered to leave

Tomoki Iwata key to Kyogo’s Birmingham transfer

As per freelance journalist Mark Walker, Kyogo shared that he received a number of transfer offers before leaving Rennes officially.

However, the influence of fellow countryman Tomoki Iwata appears to have been strong in his decision to sign for Birmingham.

Iwata and Kyogo were teammates at Celtic and will now share a dressing room at St Andrew’s for this season and potentially beyond.

Kyogo said: “I was happy because I received many good offers, but I decided Birmingham City’s was the best for me.

“Tomoki Iwata contacted me and told me he’d be really happy if I joined him at Birmingham. I listened to what he had to say about the club and I got really excited about hearing about their ambitions.

“I’m looking forward to working with Iwata again and I hope I can help the team achieve their goals this season.”

Kyogo does not regret Stade Rennais switch

Kyogo actually thinks his short stay in France was beneficial for the reason that it helped him grow as a person in some aspects.

Now, all the 30-year-old wants to do at Birmingham is hit the back of the net on a regular occasion and become a leader in the dressing room.

He continued: “It’s true that I had a difficult period at Rennes, but I don’t regret going there and I think I grew in some ways, so I believe I can make use of that experience in Birmingham and I hope to make the most of it.

“My aim is to get back playing regularly – that’s my biggest hope.

“I also want to enjoy football again, score as many goals as possible and become a player who can impress many people and bring smiles to their faces.

“I want to be a leader on the playing side as well.”