CELTIC star Kyogo Furuhashi has revealed in a touching interview that he almost gave up on football early in his career.
Now 27, the Japanese player detailed how he nearly hung up his boots in 2016 as he did not make his professional debut until he was 22 years old.
He said of his developmental years: “I was ready to give up. I’d been playing since I was five and did okay at student level. In my final year at university, I had trials at different teams but I couldn’t find a team.”
FC Gifu in the second tier of Japan were the team to finally give him a chance and he has not looked back since.
After Gifu he moved onto Vissel Kobe, where he played alongside Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta.
Having played against Celtic with Barca, Iniesta told Kyogo about the incredible, loud, intimidating atmosphere at Parkhead prior to his move.
The striker scored 20 goals in his debut season under Postecoglu at the Hoops, even with an injury that kept him out for some time.
From ready to give it all up to fan-favourite media starlet, Furuhashi called Celtic “a unique club with special fans.”
Talking to Tokyo Weekender, he added: “My old clubs, FC Gifu and Vissel Kobe were great, but this is on another level.
"It’s hard to put into words what it means to be here.”
The goal scorer credits his manager for his good form and development, citing Ange’s confidence in him as a reason for moving to Parkhead.
