Kyogo Furuhashi, a pivotal figure for Celtic since his arrival in the summer of 2021, has departed the club for a £10 million move to Ligue 1 side Rennes. The 30-year-old forward, who signed a new four-year contract at Celtic earlier this year, played an instrumental role in the team's successes over the past two years. His departure marks a significant transition for the Scottish club as it looks to fill the void left by his exceptional performances.
Since joining Celtic, Kyogo Furuhashi has been a key player, amassing an impressive 85 goals in all competitions. In addition to his goal-scoring prowess, he contributed 19 assists, underscoring his value to the team. Manager Brendan Rodgers praised him as an "exciting, outstanding" and "important" player, highlighting his impact on the pitch. His ability to score from headers was particularly notable, with 12 headed goals in the Scottish Premiership—a league-high during his tenure in Glasgow.
Kyogo's remarkable goal-scoring record in the Scottish Premiership includes 63 goals, a figure unmatched by any other player during his time at Celtic. He accounted for a significant portion of the team's success, being second on the list for the Hoops with 10 percent of the goals. Daizen Maeda followed him on this list, albeit 38 goals behind. With his departure, Celtic now faces the challenge of replacing a player who has been described by Kris Boyd as "the difference in a lot of games this season," adding that "he scores big goals."
"He has been the difference in a lot of games this season and he scores big goals." – Kris Boyd
Kyogo's decision to leave Celtic was driven by his desire to compete in one of Europe's top five leagues, an aspiration that led him to Rennes. This move coincides with Jota's transfer from Celtic to Rennes after a stint in Saudi Arabia. The Portuguese winger's arrival at Rennes in a separate deal further strengthens their attacking options, while leaving Celtic with the task of bolstering their forward line.
In response to Kyogo's departure, Brendan Rodgers is actively seeking to sign a new striker during the final week of the transfer window. This strategic move aims to reinforce Celtic's attack and sustain their competitive edge in domestic and European competitions. The search for a new forward is crucial as Celtic adapts to this new phase without one of their most prolific players.
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