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“What a costly mistake – it’s hard to believe Celtic paid more for this flop than they did for Kyogo.”
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers received significant backing from the board during the summer transfer window, with substantial funds allocated to strengthen the squad.
Following Matt O’Riley’s departure to Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion, the Hoops made a record £11m move for Augsburg midfielder Arne Engels. The club also invested £8.5m, potentially rising to £9.5m with add-ons, to sign Norwich City striker Adam Idah. If those add-ons are triggered, Idah could become the second most expensive signing in Celtic’s history, behind Engels.
Despite a promising loan spell last season, where he scored nine goals in 19 appearances, Idah has struggled for consistency this term, with just five goals in 15 matches. Given the sizable investment in the 23-year-old, Rodgers will be hoping Idah can rediscover his form and prove his value over the coming months and seasons.
However, Idah faces stiff competition from Kyogo Furuhashi, who has been a standout performer for Celtic in recent years.
Kyogo’s Impact at Celtic
Celtic’s acquisition of Kyogo Furuhashi in the summer of 2021, for £4.6m from Vissel Kobe, was a masterstroke. The Japanese forward had netted 49 goals in 111 appearances for the J1 League club, and Celtic hoped he could bring that clinical edge to Glasgow. Kyogo did not disappoint. In his first season (2021/22), he scored 20 goals and provided five assists in 33 appearances across all competitions.
His second season was even more impressive, with 34 goals and five assists in 50 games, which earned him the PFA Scotland Player of the Year award. While his output dipped slightly in the following season, Kyogo still managed 14 goals in the Scottish Premiership under Rodgers and has already netted six goals in 16 appearances this season, outscoring Idah in the process.
At £4.5m, Kyogo has proven to be a bargain, particularly when compared to Celtic’s previous big-money signing in the striker position.
The Albian Ajeti Debacle
In contrast to Kyogo’s success, Celtic’s £5m investment in Albian Ajeti in the summer of 2020 proved to be a costly mistake. Signed by then-manager Neil Lennon from West Ham United, Ajeti was described as a “tremendous” player, but he failed to deliver on that promise. Despite a strong goal-scoring record at Basel, Ajeti’s time at Celtic was largely underwhelming.
During the 2020/21 season, Ajeti managed just six goals and four assists in 30 appearances, with all his goals coming in the Scottish Premiership. He didn’t score in European competition and didn’t create any significant chances for his teammates. When Ange Postecoglou took over in 2021, Ajeti found himself behind Kyogo and Giorgos Giakoumakis in the pecking order, playing only 17 times in the 2021/22 season.
By the time Ajeti was loaned to Sturm Graz in 2022 and then sold to Turkish side Gaziantep for just £500k, Celtic had recouped a fraction of the £6.8m spent on him, including transfer fees and wages. The £6.3m loss marked a significant failure for the club, with Ajeti leaving having never lived up to expectations.
In summary, while the signings of Engels and Idah reflect Celtic’s continued ambition, Kyogo remains a shining success in contrast to the costly flop that was Ajeti.
