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Reuters
a day ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Endo recalls unsuccessful Yokohama trial as he captains Liverpool against hometown club
July 30 (Reuters) - Wataru Endo said he could not join Yokohama F Marinos after a trial at the J-League club years ago, after the Japan midfielder returned to his hometown side on Wednesday as a Liverpool player. It was the first time Endo played in the Liverpool shirt in his own country as the Premier League champions beat Yokohama 3-1 in a pre-season friendly. "I supported this club actually and I went to (a) trial but I couldn't join this club. Now I came back here as a player of (Liverpool). It was a dream-come-true moment," the 32-year-old told Liverpool's official website. "It was an amazing moment for me because I came back to Japan as a Liverpool player. For me, it meant a lot." Endo made his senior debut at Shonan Bellmare, a club based in Hiratsuka, over 30 kilometres away from Yokohama. He played for Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart before joining Liverpool in 2023. Virgil van Dijk handed Endo the captain's armband as the latter replaced the Dutchman in the second half. "I think it was a great gesture. I think all Japanese people maybe wanted me to be captain," Endo added. Liverpool begin their Premier League title defence with a home game against Bournemouth on August 15.
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Rodgers finds room for improvement in Celtic squad as pre-season ends
However, Rodgers is still eager to add more new faces to ensure Celtic are at the level he would like for the rigours of the season ahead. 'Well, I think the squad that we have currently is in a really good place,' the manager said in a club interview after the Al Ahli match. 'The guys that are here have worked very, very hard but we need to improve this squad in general so I'm hopeful that we can do that over the coming weeks. 'But the guys that have been with us from the first day and the guys coming in, they've worked so hard, put so much into it. And now we go back, we'll have a really good week when we get home, and then we'll look forward to the first day of the season next Sunday.' Celtic's latest new recruit, Shin Yamada, made a positive impact on his first outing for the club. The 25-year-old Japanese forward scored the winning penalty a week after arriving on a four-year deal from J League side Kawasaki Frontale. 'He has been settling in,' said Rodgers. 'It's never easy, when you think where he's come from on the other side of the world, and then he's in straightaway, adapting to a new intensity, which is always tough. And then you're travelling. 'But he's worked very hard in training. It was nice for him to get that little moment at the end and this obviously rounds off our pre-season in terms of fixtures. 'It was a good exercise for us. Obviously, pre-season is about fitness, but it's also about togetherness and spirit and I think the players showed that in the second half. It's a nice way to finish.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
VIDEO: Rafael Leao replicates Diogo Jota's celebration in touching tribute to late Portugal team-mate after scoring outrageous goal for AC Milan against Liverpool
Leao broke the deadlock against Liverpool Paid a touching tribute to compatriot Jota AC Milan beat Liverpool 4-2 Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱 WHAT HAPPENED? Leao followed a through ball from Christian Pulisic in a quick counter-attack and rushed towards the Liverpool goal. Van Dijk tracked back and closed in on the Portuguese winger and even tried to block the shot, but Leao found the back of the net with a powerful strike. After scoring the early goal, the Milan star gestured 20 to pay a heartfelt tribute to Jota in front of the Liverpool fans. WATCH THE CLIP THE BIGGER PICTURE Arne Slot had earlier left out Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez from the matchday squad amid speculations over their Anfield exit. While Nunez could head to Napoli or the Saudi Pro League, Diaz has attracted strong interest from Bayern Munich. WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL? Arne Slot's side went down 4-2 against the Serie A giants in their first pre-season friendly of their Asia tour. They will next face Yokohama F Marinos in the J League World Challenge final on July 30.
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Japan forward Yamada joins Celtic on four-year deal
Japan striker Shin Yamada has joined Celtic from Kawasaki Frontale on a 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."
BBC News
19-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Yamada joins Celtic from Kawasaki Frontale
Shin Yamada has joined Celtic from Kawasaki Frontale on a Japan striker, 25, 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." Yamada, who won his first international cap this year, 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," he said. "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." More to follow.
