Celtic sanction loan move for summer signing Hayato Inamura

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The Celtic Star

·27 December 2025

Celtic sanction loan move for summer signing Hayato Inamura

Celtic are understood to have sanctioned a January loan exit for Hayato Inamura…

Hayato Inamura of Celtic Cork City v Celtic, Pre Season Friendly, SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Cork, Ireland – 08 Jul 2025Cork SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh Ireland. Photo Lorraine O’Sullivan Shutterstock

The defender arrived in the summer in a £250,000 move, committing to a four-year contract with the Hoops, but Inamura has only made one competitive outing since his arrival.

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After struggling to establish himself in the first-team picture, Inamura now appears set for a temporary departure less than six months into his Celtic career.

Franck Kessie of AL-Ahli and Hayato Inamura of Celtic FC in action during Como Cup match played between Al-Ahli and Celtic FCat Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

The 23-year-old was one of two Japanese players brought in during the summer transfer window, linking up with a growing contingent of compatriots already at the club.

At the time, his signing prompted some surprise, with then Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers outlining that Inamura was viewed as a long-term project rather than an immediate starter.

Despite being considered a depth option, the versatile defender caught the eye during pre-season in Como and in a 4-0 victory over Newcastle United and was expected to be used at left-back as cover, particularly before additional reinforcements arrived late in the window.

Hayato Inamura of Celtic FC in action during Como Cup match played between Al-Ahli and Celtic FCat Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

However, his involvement within the senior squad was limited to a single Premiership start in August, when he played the full match against Livingston at Celtic Park despite Rodgers telling The Celtic Star four days earlier he could not be trusted to be thrown into such competitive matches.

Since that appearance against Livi, he has been the missing man, only making one further matchday squad where he was an unused substitute in Celtic’s recent 3-1 victory over Aberdeen.

Reports emerging from Japanese outlet Daily.co now indicate that Celtic have agreed the framework of a loan move with J1 League outfit FC Tokyo.

Hayato Inamura of Celtic reacts Cork City v Celtic, Pre Season Friendly, Football, SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Cork, Ireland – 08 July 2025 Cork SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh Ireland Photo Lorraine O Sullivan Shutterstock

The switch would represent a return to familiar surroundings for Inamura, who was developed through the Tokyo club’s youth system and previously worked under their current manager during his time at Albirex Niigata.

If the deal is finalised when the transfer window opens, Inamura is also expected to reunite with a former teammate, with Kento Hashimoto anticipated to make a similar move to FC Tokyo.

Hayato Inamura of Celtic FC in action during Como Cup match played between Al-Ahli and Celtic FCat Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

It will be interesting to see if the Japanese defender will be in Celtic’s squad for this afternoon’s visit to Livingston.

Conor Spence

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