# Kyogo has Celtic transfer reignited by crucial Birmingham trigger as return timeline set

**By:** Mark Pirie  
**Published:** Thu, 09 Jul 2026 17:00:00 GMT  
**Source:** [Daily Record](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/kyogo-celtic-transfer-reignited-crucial-37409445)

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The striker knocked back a return to Celtic Park in January but could be back on the agenda
Celtic could bring back Kyogo Furuhashi this summer if he failed to impress at Birmingham City early in the season.
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The striker knocked back a return to the Scottish champions in January - just a year on from his £10million Parkhead exit from Stade Rennes.
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The Japan cap enjoyed a glittering career in Glasgow's East End - winning eight trophies before his switch to France.
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But the 31-year-old netted three goals last season following his return to British football.
Celtic enquired over a loan deal to bring the frontman back to the Hoops as they searched for a new striker in the winter window, but following talks the deal for the frontman - who netted 85 goals for the Hoops - fell apart.
He opted to remain at St Andrews and fight for his place - but would end the season as fourth choice striker and opted to end his season early to undergo surgery and fix a long-standing shoulder issue that stretches back to his time at Celtic Park.
The Hoops added strikers Tomas Cvancara and Junior Adamu on loan instead - who both made little impact and have returned to their parent clubs.
The void that Kyogo left when departing Celtic still remains - and the club are in dire need of more firepower with Daizen Maeda looking increasingly likely to leave.
Qarabag forward Camilo Duran is set to arrive but O'Neill is keen to add more options to his frontline.
Kyogo is training with Chris Davies' side ahead of the new English Championship season - but former Birmingham striker Kevin Phillips reckons a slow start to the season could see him shipped out before the summer window closes, with Celtic named as a potential destination.
Speaking to Record Sport via BestBettingSites.co.uk, the former England cap said: "I've always liked Kyogo, there's something there, but we just haven't really seen it on a regular basis.
"There's no good saying we keep waiting and waiting; he needs to perform. So if he stays, he needs to hit the ground running.
"If he doesn't, I don't think there'll be too many Blues fans kicking the door down to say stay if Birmingham were to cash in, whether he went back to Celtic or went somewhere else.
"So I would give him the benefit of the doubt and let him start the season.
"If it doesn't quite work out, then maybe look to potentially get him out on loan or move him on before the window shuts."
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