Celtic sanction transfer exit for player who 'scores goals easily' as suitor moves quickly on Hoops raid
Striker loaned out to European club for the second time in his Hoops career
Celtic player Shin Yamada is a striker who ‘scores goals easily’ according to OH Leuven Sporting Director Gyorgy Csepregi upon the striker’s loan switch to the Belgian Pro League.
The 26-year old has struggled for minutes at Celtic Park since signing from J1 League side Kawasaki Frontale in last July and has only made 12 Hoops appearances without troubling the scoresheet in a competitive game. The Japan international was in turn farmed out to second tier German side Preussen Munster in January, where he only made one start.
However, as Yamada now makes the switch to Leuven on season-long loan deal he is hoping to change his fortunes after a season he described as ‘difficult’. He managed to open his Celtic account from the penalty in their recent friendly away to Shelbourne to draw the match 1-1.
Leuven sign Celtic star on loan
A club statement from the Belgian side read: “The 26-year-old Shin Yamada began his professional career at Kawasaki Frontale, a club in the Japanese J1 League. At Kawasaki Frontale, Yamada scored no fewer than 32 goals and provided 9 assists in 122 matches. He won the championship, the cup, and the Super Cup there.
“This earned him a lucrative transfer to Celtic FC. Yamada played eleven matches for the Scottish top club, but failed to score. During the winter, the Japanese forward was loaned to Preussen Münster, where Yamada rediscovered his goalscoring touch. He scored three goals in ten matches in Germany. Now Shin Yamada is coming to Leuven. He is being loaned for one season.
Sporting Director Csepregi added: “Shin Yamada is a Japanese international who just missed out on the World Cup squad. We have been following him since he played alongside Ominami at Kawasaki, but back then he was unattainable.
“He didn't get many playing opportunities at Celtic FC, so now there was a chance to sign him and we didn't hesitate. Yamada is a player with good running ability, he positions himself well and scores goals easily. He has exactly the profile we were looking for.”
Yamada looks forward to fresh start after ‘difficult’ debut Hoops season
In his first interview with his new club, the striker said: “I'm happy and excited to be here. I feel this club is fit for me and I can't wait to start praying for Leuven. The club showed me their project and I think the football style suits me. I have confidence, energy and I can bring goals.
“It was a difficult situation for me last season, but I now have experience with many players and managers, so it was a positive experience. I want to get to know my teammates and I want to score many goals for Leuven. I’m looking forward to showing what I can do in front of the excellent supporters in the stadium.”
Celtic took to X to announce Yamada’s departure and wish him the best in his new endeavour. They wrote: “Good luck to Shin Yamada, who has joined OH Leuven on a season-long loan. Wishing you all the best in Belgium, Shin!”
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