Shin Yamada

Hatate is also preparing to welcome another Japan star into the Celtic fold. The Hoops snapped up defender Hayato Inamura for his homeland this summer and striker Shin Yamada is expected to join up at the end of the week.

Hatate was warned the new boys not to be fooled by the sensational weather at the weekend but while it might always be sunny in Scotland, there is a bright future for him at the club.

He said: “I must admit I don’t know him (Shin). I don’t know about his situation but I do know that any player who comes to Celtic it is a very good move for their reputations.



It is a great club that competed for titles and in Europe. If he is a player who comes to us then I will hopefully have a good relationship with him on the pitch and I will try to create the chances for him.”

Hatate is convinced Yamada can settle in Scotland just as he has done – even if the lingo is still a struggle at times.

When asked about life in Glasgow, he joked: ““There’s no sun! I am used to it now, so it’s not a problem. I enjoy my life in Scotland


It’s very busy with games and training so it’s not like I have a lot of time to do go places and do tourist things during the season.

“But I like to go to restaurants or coffee shops, even just got for walks and enjoy the nice scenery and views.

“I have already warned Hayato about the weather!

 

Looks a done deal then

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Having Hatate and Maeda who have already been here 3+ years is going to be great for helping these guys settle.

 

The way it should be, if you're looking to keep a foothold in such a market.
No judgement on their abilities in either direction, but as you say, if we get these two settled before inevitably the others leave, then bringing in the (right) next players should hopefully have the same help in settling in.

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https://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/news/2025/07/14/kiji/20250714s00002014016000c.html?page=1



On the 13th, the Japanese national soccer team trained in Suwon City for the match against South Korea on the 15th. A draw or better will determine the first consecutive victory in the Japan-Korea match, and one player expected to perform well is FW Arata Yamada (25, Kawasaki F), who will transfer to the prestigious Scottish first division club Celtic after the tournament. He plans to show his true potential as a "Korea killer," score his first goal for the national team, and lead Japan to its first three consecutive wins in the E-1 Championship and Japan-Korea matches before crossing the ocean.



It's time for Yamada to show off his "Korea Killer" skills. The match against his favorite team, against whom he has scored a total of four goals, is the "final match" where Japan's first consecutive championship is at stake. On this day, he showed off his nimble movements during shooting practice, and said, "I have the impression that I'm doing well (against the Korean team). I hope I can use that experience to score. I want to do my best to contribute to the victory and win the championship."

　In the 2022 Japan-Korea regular match, Yamada participated as a member of the All-Japan University Selection while at Toin Yokohama University. He exploded with three goals in two matches, and in the 2024-2025 ACLE first league match against Pohang in the Korean first division, he scored one goal and one assist. What is particularly noteworthy is that three of those goals were scored on the enemy's home ground. His strong physique is his weapon, as he is not defeated by the physical Korean team, and he himself laughs, saying, "I think it also has to do with bone structure and compatibility when we collide." On this day, he also spoke about his mindset when facing Korean players, saying, "They will come at us pretty hard, so we won't be scared. I think they will bite, so it's important to fight while aiming from behind.
　" Last season, he scored 19 goals, the most by a Japanese player in J1. After this tournament, his transfer to Celtic is a certainty. In this match, which will determine whether he will be included in the 2026 World Cup team, Yamada said, "I have to get good results for the national team for Kawasaki F." He will leave behind his first goal for the national team and consecutive championships. (Takimoto Yudai)

 

Must be why Yang and Kwon are leaving before the “Korea Killer” arrives.