Kyogo Furuhashi made the journey from the Far East to Britain this week as he prepares for his new Celtic adventure.
But after the 2000-plus mile trip from Japan he will still have to wait to kick off his career in Scotland as he’s forced to complete a period of quarantine.
The 26-year-old has already urged the Hoops faithful not to compare him to compatriot Shunsuke Nakamura who lit up Scottish football during his time at Parkhead.
But Nakamaura was proof of the kind of talent to be found in Asia after a spell in Italy with Reggina before Gordon Strachan snapped him up.
Former Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund star Shinji Kagawa and Serie A Legend Hidetoshi Nakata are two other examples.
It’s a market Ange Postecolgou knows well from his time in charge of Yokohama F. Marinos and he could dip back into it as he looks for players to strengthen his squad while former Kawasaki Frontale man, currently at Manchester City, Ko Itakura remains a target.
Here, Record Sport Online looks at nine current J-League stars who could prove huge hits in the Scottish Premiership.
Shogo Taniguchi
Age: 30
Current club: Kawasaki Frontale
Transfer value: £1.62 million
Position: Centre back
Skipper of current champions, Taniguchio is is a calm and composed ball playing centre back so would fit Ange Postecolgou’s style perfectly. Despite turning 30 recently, he looks to be ageing like a fine wine, starting 19 games this season without defeat. A real leader and as he enters the final six months of his contract could be an ideal replacement for Kristoffer Ajer.
Ao Tanaka
Age: 22
Current club: Kawasaki Frontale
Transfer value: £1.53 million
Position: Midfielder
Tanaka was the standout star in the J-League last season and, at just 22-years-old, looks like he is going to be one of the next biggest stars to come from Asia. Standing at 6ft tall with great pace and power, he is a fantastic out and out box to box midfielder. Primarily a defensive midfielder, he managed to chip in with five goals in Kawasaki Frontale’s record breaking campaign which saw them lift the J-League last season. Tanaka was integral to Frontale’s performance last season and was rewarded with his place in the J-League’s Team of the Year and is currently on loan at 2. Bundesliga side Fortuna Dusseldorf.
Daizen Maeda
Age: 23
Current club: Yokohama F. Marinos
Transfer value: £990k
Position: Forward
Small, livewire frontman played under Ange Postecolgou at former club so is someone well known to the Celtic boss. Causes problems for defenders every time he is on the ball. With great close control and pace in behind, Maeda offers perfect foil for a target man. Striker is on form this season, scoring 10 and assisting two for Postecoglou’s former side. Not only can he score, but his is versatile in his positions, adapting to be a solid centre forward and left winger, utilising his pace and ball control. At just 23-years-old Maeda is coming into his prime and would be a bargain buy at less than £1 million.
Ado Onaiwu
Age: 25
Current club: Yokohama F. Marinos
Transfer value: £1million
Position: Forward
Another of Postecoglou’s former players, the striker in his absolute prime and having a season that proves it. In 23 games in the league and cup he has netted 15 goals for Postecoglou’s old side, who currently sit at second in the table. Taller than Maeda at 6 ft and plays much more central that his striking partner. However, with the pace and composure still there, this could be a great time for him to re-join his former manager after picking up fantastic form this season.
Kaoru Mitoma
Age: 24
Current club: Kawasaki Frontale
Transfer value: £1.62 million
Position: Forward
Possibly too similar to Furuhashi but a brilliant young talent. Pacy, versatile left winger who turned 24 recently. He featured in the J-League Team of the Year after an incredible season with Frontale, scoring 13 and assisting 13 in 30 games. A winger with pace, precision, and flair, he certainly appears to be worth his value.
Shinnosuke Nakatini
Age: 25
Current club: Nagoya Grampus
Transfer value: £1.08 million
Position: Centre back
An inclusion that may come as a surprise to J-League fans over the likes of Jesiel or Eduardo but an under-appreciated centre back with lots of time to learn. Last season, he stood just ahead of Langerak and unlucky not to feature in the J-League’s Team of the Year. A quick and durable centre back who helped Grampus maintain such a steady defensive record over the past three seasons, playing over 120 games for his side. At just 25-years-old, he has played over 237 games in Japanese football.
Ayumu Seko
Age: 21
Current club: Cerezo Osaka
Transfer value: £720k
Position: Centre back
If the future is what Celtic want to invest in, then this is the guy to buy. Seko and the aforementioned Tanaka are the two players for whom the sky is the limit. Seko was recognised as a star last season for Cerezo Osaka and was rewarded with the Rookie of the Year in an award where former recipients have gone on to join sides such as Barcelona, Manchester United and Liverpool.
The countless recovery tackles and goal saving headers that Seko made last season made for a fantastic highlights reel to cap off a great season for the young star.
Miki Yamane
Age: 27
Current club: Kawasaki Frontale
Transfer value: £990k
Position: Right back/Centre back
Sturdy defender helped his side secure a dominant league title and featured in the J-League team of the year for his efforts.
At 27 Yamane has a good few years left to shine and with only six months left on his contract, joining Celtic could be a perfect way to spend the next few years of his career and fill that right back void.
Last season, he played 31 games in the league, scoring four and assisting six, and this season he is continuing that fine form and is a regular for the league champions.
Ayase Ueda
Age: 22
Current club: Kashima Antlers
Transfer value: £810k
Position: Forward
Last, but certainly not least. A 6 ft tall, 22-year-old prospect who looks to be one of the top talents in Japan.
Performing well for his national side, scoring nine goals in 16 games for the under-21 side, and three goals in nine games for the under-23 side, it is clear to see why Ueda is getting some well deserved spotlight.
With only six months left on his contract at Kashima Antlers, Celtic could snap him up for nothing.
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