Kyogo Furuhashi Transfer Sees Striker Join Birmingham

Kyogo Furuhashi transfer headlines a bold summer statement from Birmingham City, with the Japan international penning a three-year deal after a difficult six-month spell at Rennes.

Kyogo Furuhashi transfer bolsters Brady-backed ambition

Tom Brady’s minority ownership has already sparked optimism at St Andrew’s, and landing Furuhashi for a reported £8 million underscores the club’s intent to chase Premier League promotion. The 29-year-old hit 54 goals in just 83 starts for Celtic before moving to Ligue 1, where injuries and tactical mismatch restricted him to two league starts. Birmingham’s analytics team believe his sharp movement and ruthless finishing are tailor-made for the Championship’s relentless schedule.

Why Birmingham moved quickly

With last season’s top scorer Scott Hogan turning 32, manager John Eustace sought a mobile forward who could press aggressively and convert low-margin chances. Furuhashi’s Premier League-grade off-ball runs tick every box, while his commercial appeal in Japan offers bonus revenue streams.

What the player says

“England’s intensity excites me,” Furuhashi told club media. “I want to repay the supporters by scoring early and often.” Insiders add that Celtic captain Callum McGregor, a former team-mate, urged him to embrace the challenge.

How the deal impacts Rennes and Celtic

Rennes recoup most of their fee, freeing wages for domestic reinforcements. Celtic, meanwhile, pocket a healthy sell-on clause rumoured to be 10%, further padding their summer budget.

Outlook for the Blues

Birmingham’s recruitment drive has already yielded defender Ethan Laird and creative midfielder Lewis O’Brien. Slotting Furuhashi between them could turn tight draws into wins—a critical edge in a 46-game campaign.

Opinion: This signing is shrewd rather than flashy; if Furuhashi adapts quickly, Birmingham gain a proven finisher entering his prime, and the Championship just got a lot more interesting.