Forgotten Celtic loanee linked with transfer amid frustrations as 'possibility' of homeland return emerges
Flop striker’s move to Celtic hasn’t gone to plan
Celtic striker Shin Yamada has been linked with a move back to the J-League to hit the restart button on his career amid another frustrating loan spell.
The 26-year old signed for the Hoops from Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale in July 2025 after notching some impressive numbers in the J-League. However, he hasn’t been able to reach the same heights in Europe as he did in his homeland.
After failing to find the target in eight Hoops appearances last season, Yamada was sent out on loan in January to second tier German side Preussen Munster, where his struggles in front of goal continued and led to a lack of game time. In turn, he was farmed out to Belgian side OH Leuven this season, but little has changed, having failed to notch any goal contributions in his six league appearances.
‘Possibility’ of new start emerges for Yamada
In turn, Japanese media outlet Football Tribe report that Yamada could be heading back to Japan to rejuvenate his career. They claim: “Former Japan international striker Arata (Shin) Yamada, who previously played for Kawasaki Frontale, is currently on loan from Scottish Premiership club Celtic to Belgian Premiership club OH Leuven. However, he hasn't been getting playing time at his new club, so there's a possibility he might return to the J.League.”
Perhaps a new beginning in familiar surroundings is what’s needed for Yamada, who bagged 21 goals during the 2024 J-League campaign. After one failed loan switch and another currently heading downhill, it’s unlikely his long-term future will be at Celtic.
Deja vu for Celtic loanee as latest spell doesn’t go to plan
Celtic decided to loan Yamada out to Leuven for him to acquire more first team minutes, which he was unlikley to attain at Parkhead after they bought £17m worth of strikers during the transfer window in Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh. But despite the Pro League side’s Sporting Director, Gyorgy Csepregy predicting he’d get minutes, only two league starts in 11 for Yamada suggests this hasn’t gone to plan.
Upon his arrival, Csepregy said: “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.”