Japan forward Yamada joins Celtic on four-year deal
The 25-year-old has scored 32 goals in 121 club appearances, featuring prominently in the J-League since 2023.
"He is a strong player who can score goals and create goals for others and I think he is someone who can definitely add an important dimension to our forward line," manager Brendan Rodgers told club media.
"I know he is really keen to make his mark here in European football and deliver for Celtic and I think he is someone who has the power, athleticism and intensity in his play to do really well for us."
Visit our Celtic page for all the latest news, analysis and fan views
Get Celtic news notifications in the BBC Sport app
Capped for the first time this year, Yamada said a public goodbye to Kawasaki fans after Wednesday's Emperor's Cup defeat at home to SC Sagamihara.
He leaves his former club sitting sixth in the J-League after 23 matches, having scored twice in his 21 outings.
The 5ft, 8in forward scored 19 goals in 38 league games in the previous campaign and told CelticTV that the Scottish champions made their initial approach in late 2024.
Yamada follows fellow forwards Benjamin Nygren and Callum Osmand, defenders Hayato Inamura and Kieran Tierney and goalkeeper Ross Doohan in joining the Scottish champions this summer.
"Celtic is one of the top names in world football," said Yamada. "I have already watched my countrymen Daizen [Maeda], Reo [Hatate] and Kyogo [Furuhashi] do so well at Celtic and I will aim to have the same impact.
"I am my own player, though, and I am ready to face all my own challenges directly."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Liverpool will make Newcastle PAY for Hugo Ekitike transfer deal
Newcastle's plans to sign Hugo Ekitike have unravelled in the last few days. The Geordies made an attempt to sign the Eintracht Frankfurt striker, submitting a bid which could not convince the German side to do business. And while Eddie Howe's side were reeling from the knock-back, Liverpool swooped in. Ekitike now appears Anfield-bound - and his arrival will take the Reds' spending to well over £250m this summer. LFC x Nike Air Max Buy Now LFC Retro Shirts Buy Now LFC Kits Buy Now LFC Nike Training Buy Now Newcastle have no choice but to move on to other targets and according to one report in Germany, they have got a Liverpool player in their sights. The Merseysiders have managed to claw back plenty of money in sales so far this window - with Jarell Quansah, Caoimhin Kelleher, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Nat Phillips all departing. Nunez stuck in transfer limbo But more outgoings will be required in order to finance a blockbuster deal for Ekitike - and this is where Newcastle's interest in Darwin Nunez could come in very handy indeed. Having seen a move to Napoli fall apart - due to the Italian champions' reluctance to meet Liverpool's asking price - 26-year-old Darwin was stuck in transfer limbo. Teams in Saudi Arabia are willing to meet his valuation - said to be around £70m - but the player's first choice had been initially to remain in Europe. And now BILD is reporting that Newcastle are ready to move on to Darwin to supplement their striking options. Newcastle have got Darwin Nunez on their radar Of course Alexander Isak remains the Magpies' first choice, but the reason behind a move for Ekitike was reportedly to give cover and competition to the Swede - as well as field the duo up top together. 'Newcastle have dropped out of the poker game and already have two other attackers on their radar: Victor Osimhen and Darwin Nunez,' the report reads. 'It became increasingly clear that the Frenchman was not convinced about a move to Newcastle. 'Experts were all the more surprised that Newcastle had already submitted an initial official offer (€80 million) to Frankfurt. 'It's clear that the Magpies wanted to put significant pressure on Ekitiké, hoping for a breakthrough.'
Yahoo
7 minutes ago
- Yahoo
49ers release special teams standout George Odum amid major overhaul
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers released special teams standout George Odum on Saturday in the latest move to overhaul that unit. Odum had been placed on the non-football injury list on Friday with a knee injury and now is off the roster entirely before the first training camp practice is scheduled for Wednesday. Odum had spent the past three seasons with the Niners, leading them with 759 snaps on special teams and tied for the fourth-most special teams tackles in the NFL with 36 in that span. Odum was a second-team All-Pro for San Francisco in 2022 but missed 11 games the past two seasons with injuries. The Niners have made major changes on their special teams after struggles in 2024 led to the firing of coordinator Brian Schneider. Brant Boyer was hired to take over and has made changes at punter, with Thomas Morstead replacing Mitch Wishnowsky and long snapper with Jon Weeks replacing Taybor Pepper. The Niners also brought in kicker Greg Joseph to compete with incumbent Jake Moody and several other players with extensive special teams experience including linebackers Chazz Surratt and Luke Gifford, tight end Luke Farrell and defensive backs Richie Grant, Siran Neal and Jason Pinnock. The Niners placed several other players on injured lists Friday to start training camp, with all being eligible to be activated at any time. Receivers Brandon Aiyuk (knee) and Ricky Pearsall (hamstring), safety Malik Mustapha (knee), linebacker Curtis Robinson (knee), defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos (undisclosed) and offensive lineman Andre Dillard (undisclosed) are all on the physically unable to perform list. Offensive lineman Ben Bartch (undisclosed) is on the non-football injury list. ___ AP NFL: By Josh Dubow, The Associated Press
Yahoo
7 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Report: Reds advance with €90m package for Bundesliga striker
Liverpool's Bold Ekitike Move Signals Intent in Arne Slot Era Ekitike bid points to strategic ambition Liverpool's summer evolution has taken a decisive step, with @SamCReports revealing that the Reds have submitted an improved bid for Hugo Ekitike. The offer, reportedly worth around €90 million including add-ons, signals a significant show of faith in the young French striker. Ekitike, once courted by several Premier League clubs and formerly of Paris Saint-Germain, is a player with undeniable potential. Still just 23, he boasts technical grace, clever movement and a striker's instinct that has made him one of the most intriguing attacking prospects in Europe. Key figures in negotiations Liverpool's new-look leadership structure is wasting no time. Richard Hughes and Frankfurt counterpart Markus Krösche are aiming to finalise an agreement by this weekend or early next week, as per SamCReports. Their swift and assertive approach suggests that Ekitike is a priority target, rather than a fallback option. Tactical implications under Slot Arne Slot favours vertical passing, fluid rotations, and high pressing, all of which require a mobile front line. Ekitike, who thrives on quick transitions and one-touch link-up play, would bring fresh dimensions to Liverpool's forward unit. While the club already boasts attacking firepower in Darwin Núñez, Luis Díaz and Cody Gakpo, none carry Ekitike's particular blend of poise and penetration. He could either compete with Núñez for the central role or allow Slot to shift formations more freely throughout matches. Shifting transfer policy speaks volumes A bid of €90 million for a player with limited top-level experience is significant. It shows a willingness to invest early in upside rather than waiting for players to prove themselves elsewhere. Liverpool's move for Ekitike also sends a message to rivals. Arsenal and Chelsea have both shown interest in young forwards, but this attempt to conclude a deal swiftly may allow the Reds to steal a march. 'Discussions are ongoing regarding add-ons, with the total package valued at around €90 million.' If completed, this could be one of the headline moves of the summer — not just for what Ekitike offers on the pitch, but for what his arrival symbolises about the club's direction in the Slot era. Our View – Anfield Index Analysis From a Liverpool fan's perspective, this feels like a statement signing. We've been crying out for the club to act quickly and decisively in the market and that's exactly what Hughes and Krösche are doing here. Hugo Ekitike might not be a household name yet, but his ceiling is enormous — and at 23, he's the kind of player who could thrive at Anfield for years. There's always risk in spending big on potential, but when you look at how modern football works, getting a player before they explode is often cheaper than trying to buy them after.
