Tottenham Hotspur-linked Kyogo Furuhashi signs new four-year Celtic contract

Celtic have announced that striker Kyogo Furuhashi has signed a new four-year contract at Parkhead.

The 28-year-old has established himself as a star player and a fan favourite with the Glaswegian giants since joining the club two seasons ago, scoring 54 goals and providing 10 assists in 83 appearances across all tournaments.

Furuhashi scooped multiple Player of the Year awards in 2022-23 after scoring 34 goals in 50 games to help Celtic win a Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup and League Cup domestic treble.

Speculation over his long-term future at Parkhead has been rife since Ange Postecoglou left Celtic to join Tottenham Hotspur last month, with the Aussie boss allegedly keen to reunite with the Japanese striker in North London.

The likes of Burnley and Lazio have also been credited with an interest in Furuhashi, who recently refused to rule out a possible summer exit from Celtic.

However, Furuhashi has now put an end to speculation about his future by putting pen to paper on a new four-year deal with the Hoops, keeping him in Glasgow until the summer of 2027.

🙆‍♂️ #KYOGO2027 🙆‍♂️

We are delighted to announce that our Treble-Winning talisman, @Kyogo_Furuhashi has signed a new four-year deal with the Club! 💚🇯🇵#CelticFC🍀

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 4, 2023

Speaking to Celtic's official website about his new contract, Furuhashi said: "I am very happy to extend my stay for four years at this incredible club. It is an honour to represent Celtic Football Club and our amazing supporters.

"Last season was unbelievable. From the start of the campaign, our aim was to do as well as we could in every competition we played in. We worked very hard every day, on and off the pitch, to win silverware and put smiles on our fans' faces.

"To win my first treble, and help secure a world-record breaking eighth treble for the club was a very proud moment for me and I cherish the memories of celebrating this with our fans. They have been so supportive of me since I joined Celtic so I will work hard to repay them.

"Next season our objective is the same - to bring success to our club. I am excited to defend our trophies and the opportunity to represent this huge club in the Champions League. My personal motivation is to score more goals and help my teammates win matches.

"I am looking forward to getting started and working with Brendan [Rodgers]. He is a top-level manager, he knows the club and knows what it takes to win silverware here. I and my teammates are looking forward to working with him."

© Reuters

Newly-appointed Celtic manager Rodgers added: "It is brilliant news for the club. Kyogo is an important player for us so I am delighted he has signed a new contract.

"Kyogo has thrived since he arrived in Scottish football and has shown his outstanding qualities. In two seasons, he has secured five domestic honours, scored over 50 club goals and become a treble winner. This takes a lot of hard work, dedication and sacrifice both on and off the pitch.

"He is an exciting player who is hungry to bring more success to our club. He has a great mentality and is an unbelievable talent.

"I am looking forward to working with him and helping him and the wider team develop to help drive the club forward."

Furuhashi is currently in his native Japan where he visited former club Vissel Kobe to watch former teammate Andreas Iniesta play in his final match for the J1 League side last weekend.

The news of Furuhashi's new deal comes less than 24 hours after Celtic confirmed the permanent departure of Portuguese winger Jota, who has joined Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad for a reported £25m.