Yuki Kobayashi admits he has a twin target after completing his dream move to Celtic.
And boss Ange Postecoglou is adamant he’s found a key piece of his planning jigsaw as he sets about the next stage of his Parkhead development. Kobayashi has sealed the formalities on his move to Celtic Park on a five-year deal. The 22-year-old has always dreamed of making the move from his homeland on to the European stage.
Japanese stars such as Reo Hatate, Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda – who started yesterday’s triumphant World Cup opener against Germany given his success since making the jump – have all shone brightly in the east end of Glasgow. Indeed, Kyogo offers an ideal template for Kobayashi, having made exactly the same transfer from Vissel Kobe to Parkhead 16 months ago. Of course, the striker’s success under Postecoglou will have been noted by Kobayashi as he seeks to make his own name at the Premiership leaders among his compatriots.
However, as well as ensuring he does well himself and proves successful for Celtic, the defender wants his switch to Scotland to be beneficial for those he leaves behind. The youngster admitted in a statement he left on the Vissel Kobe website upon his departure that he had to contemplate the massive move before committing to it.
But having realised it was an offer from as big a club as Celtic that he just had to accept, Kobayashi hopes it will inspire more youngsters to follow his footsteps – both to boost the Vissel Kobe ranks and showcase the value of their academy. He said: “This season ended with a disappointing result and I wondered if I should transfer at this time. But playing in Europe has been my dream and goal since I started playing. I cannot thank the club enough for understanding the challenge at this timing and sending me off.
“Ever since I entered soccer school in kindergarten, I have been brought up at the Vissel Kobe academy. I sincerely appreciate Vissel Kobe and Vissel Academy.
“That’s why I want to show the world the value of the Vissel academy. To all fans, thank you for always supporting us with your passionate support.”
Postecoglou is delighted to have captured the J1 League talent and didn’t hide the fact that sourcing quality left-sided centre-backs isn’t easy. The manager has faced some issues in the central defensive department this season after an injury sustained by Carl Starfelt.
The Sweden international built a rock-solid partnership with Cameron Carter-Vickers last season as the pair provided a platform for the squad’s success in both the Premiership and League Cup. In Starfelt’s absence and with USA call-up Carter-Vickers also missing games due to injury prior to the World Cup shutdown, Postecoglou has turned to Scotland Under-21 defender Stephen Welsh to deputise.
German Moritz Jenz has also made 19 appearances since signing on loan from Lorient on a season-long agreement. However, as would be expected, alterations and changes in personnel have not been helpful to the Hoops in terms of keeping the back door shut.
Last season, the club won the title having lost just 22 goals in 38 top-flight games. This term, with just 15 matches on the board, the champions have shipped 13 at a rate of almost one a game.
Starfelt is working through the World Cup break to build his fitness for the first game back at Aberdeen on December 17. The 27-year-old, injured at the start of September, only returned for this month’s trip to Real Madrid before two more run-outs against Motherwell and Ross County.
Kobayashi will also be available to the manager on January 1 with a scheduled month of training among the group under his belt as he’s set to link up with them as soon as December 1. Postecoglou is thrilled to add Kobayashi in a key area as he said: “He’s a left-sided centre-back and they’re hard to find. We’re really pleased.
“Yuki is someone we’ve been following for a while and it was a great chance to bring him in. He’s still young but he’s already had three or four years of senior experience and he’s keen to come across and test himself in Europe.”
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