The 23-year-old, left-footed centre-back only joined his current club last summer and has made 15 appearances in the J1 League this season, helping his team in their battle against relegation.
While manager Brendan Rodgers is mainly focused on strengthening the midfield following the arrival of Benjamin Nygren, Inamura remains a high-priority target. Japanese outlet Sponichi reports that the defender will play his final match for Albirex Niigata against Machida Zelvia today before flying to Europe for his medical and to sign with the Scottish champions.
Standing at six feet tall, Inamura is recognized for his aerial ability and set-piece prowess. If the transfer goes through, he would become the ninth Japanese player to represent Celtic.
Since 2022, Japanese players such as Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate have excelled at Celtic, becoming fan favorites and drawing attention from top European clubs thanks to their performances in the Champions League.
Kyogo Furuhashi also enjoyed a memorable three-and-a-half-year spell at the club before sealing a £10 million move to Rennes in January. Meanwhile, Tomoki Iwata left for Birmingham City last summer, and both Yosuke Ideguchi and Yuki Kobayashi departed after struggling to secure regular roles.
With Celtic in the market for both a centre-back and a left-back, Inamura could provide versatility and depth across both positions. The need for reinforcements has grown following Greg Taylor’s exit and with defenders Gustaf Lagerbielke, Stephen Welsh, and Maik Nawrocki likely to leave on loan or permanently.
This summer, the club appears to be moving swiftly and decisively in the transfer market—a shift from previous windows. With Rodgers entering the final year of his contract, it’s clear Celtic are prioritizing early signings to ensure a smoother pre-season, correcting past issues of poor planning and delayed squad building.
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