Reo Hatate on precious experiences and beautiful memories at Celtic | OneFootball

Reo Hatate has posted his farewell message to the club and the Celtic support after completing his move to Championship side Burnley last night, for a fee believed to be £6.5m…

Reo Hatate of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox on March 01, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Posting on his Instagram account, Reo expressed his gratitude for the support he has had over the past four and a half years after arriving alongside Daizen Maeda in the January 2022 transfer window.

The talented Japan international posted this message on his Instagram account today…

8th March 2026; Ibrox Scottish Cup, Rangers versus Celtic; Reo Hatate of Celtic reacts after scoring his penalty during the shootout. Photo Vagelis Georgariou.

Dear Celtic Family,

First of all, thank you so much for four and a half years.

Moving to Celtic was one of the biggest and most exciting challenges of my football career. It was my first move overseas, and I didn’t know anything about what was waiting for me. But when I stepped onto the pitch at Celtic Park for the first time, saw the stadium fully packed, and heard You’ll Never Walk Alone so soooo loud like the ground was shaking, I got goosebumps all over my body. And I thought like, “ok, I’m going to give everything I have to this club.”

I still remember that feeling as if it happened yesterday.

During these four and a half years, of course, not everything went well. There were times when I couldn’t get the results I wanted, and I almost lost heart.

But no matter what happened, whether it was raining, snowing, whether we were winning or losing, the fans always came to Celtic Park and pushed us forward with everything they had. You were always there. Because of your support, I was able to get through so many difficult moments.

Playing football for Celtic made me realize again how much power football has. And being able to play football in front of you guys made me feel that from the bottom of my heart. At the same time, these periods here also made me strongly feel that I have to improve more and more as a professional footballer, and become a big player.

Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda at Hampden in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final on 2nd November 2024. Celtic 6 Aberdeen 0. Photo AJ for Celtic Shorts.

Once again, I want to thank Celtic FC, this beautiful and legendary club, for giving me this opportunity and this environment. I also want to thank all my teammates who fought together with me, supported me, and inspired me.

And of course, I want to thank every single one of you, Celtic Family, who always supported the club and supported me.

Now, a new journey begins.

Reo Hatate of Celtic FC is pressured by Ederson of Atalanta BC during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Atalanta BC and Celtic FC at Stadio di Bergamo on October 23, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

I will take all the precious experiences and beautiful memories I got here at Celtic, and all the support from the fans who have always been by my side, deep in my heart.

And I will keep moving forward towards my dream.

I will not say goodbye.

See you again.

Until then…

Hail Hail

Reo 

Reo Hatate of Celtic during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between Celtic FC and BSC Young Boys at Celtic Park on January 22, 2025. Photo JustPictures.ch

Richard Callis IMAGO

Reo of course had his own song which included the lie: ”we’ve never seen a player like you before’. At Tannadice a few weeks ago he came out town up from the substitutes bench and the Celtic support immediately burst into that song in recognition of a fine footballing talent who graced the Hoops.

Alex Valle, Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate at Hampden in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final on 2nd November 2024. Celtic 6 Aberdeen 0. Photo AJ for Celtic Shorts.

Like Kyogo and Daizen, Reo leaves Celtic having achieved so much and having given the Celtic support great please in watching him play. Reo’s time had run its course and during his time in Europe he wants to a new challenge.

Injuries clearly hampered Reo during his time in Glasgow. Hopefully that’s not the case and if he can get back to playing regularly and showing the kind of player that we know he is then the Burnley fans are in for a treat. Yet another English club getting a great song from the Celtic support! Well they are welcome to it because Reo deserves all the praise going.

Hail Hail to you too Reo.

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