Celtic could sign better ST than Yamada in swoop for “tireless” £9m star

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has already been able to bring in several new players to bolster his first-team squad during the summer transfer window.

Benjamin Nygren, Kieran Tierney, Ross Doohan, Hayato Inamura, and Callum Osmand have all already come through the door since the end of last season.

There is more yet to come for the Scottish Premiership champions in the coming weeks, though, as the Hoops are looking for further signings, particularly in the attacking areas.

One player who looks set to join the likes of Tierney and Nygren is Japanese centre-forward Shin Yamada, after Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph claimed that the club have agreed a £1.5m deal with Kawasaki Frontale to secure his services.

As explained in the post, the 25-year-old number nine is currently at an international tournament, which means that supporters may have to wait for an official confirmation from the club.

What role Shin Yamada could play at Celtic

The £1.5m striker is an interesting prospective signing for the Scottish giants because he is coming off the back of a poor season in the Japanese top-flight.

In the 2025 season, the right-footed striker has scored two goals and provided one assist in 21 appearances in the J1 League, which is far from an impressive return for the forward.

Speaking about that form, Yamada said: “On a personal note, I have to admit I have had a disappointing season. I set high standards for myself and I don’t think I met them if I am being honest.”

These statistics do not suggest that the forward is going to make a big impact at Parkhead next season, but he did thrive in front of goal in the 2024 campaign, before his struggles this year.

As you can see in the table above, Yamada enjoyed a terrific spell in 2024 with a return of 19 goals in 38 games, but his form fell off a cliff since the turn of the year.

There is no guarantee that he can return to his form from last year, as it may have been a flash in the pan, which is why this is a risky signing for Celtic, and why he could be a back up option within the squad next season if he does not go back out on loan.

Football Insider reporter Pete O’Rourke claims that Rodgers wants a “marquee” striker who can “guarantee” goals, and Yamada does not appear to fit the bill for what the manager is looking for.

This suggests that another number nine could come through the door before the end of the window, and David Strelec would be an interesting option.

Celtic’s interest in David Strelec

Herald Scotland recently reported that the Slovakian striker has been a long-term target for the Scottish giants, although it remains to be seen if they are willing to make a move for him this summer.

The Hoops were interested in a deal to sign the Slovan forward, who played against Celtic in the Champions League last season, in the January transfer window.

However, Slovan decided to demand a whopping fee of £9m in order to sanction an exit for their star centre-forward, which put any potential transfer to an end.

With Rodgers wanting a ‘marquee’ striker to ‘guarantee’ him goals, though, Strelec could emerge as an option for the Scottish giants this summer, should the price tag drop or should Celtic decide to pay the money.

Why Celtic should sign David Strelec

The Hoops should push to sign the Slovan striker this summer after missing out on him in January because he could be brought in as a much better centre-forward than Yamada.

Whilst the Japanese forward has struggled in front of goal this season and does not look to be the immediate answer to the club’s goalscoring needs, Strelec’s form last term suggests that he has the tools to hit the ground running in Glasgow.

The left-footed star, who was described as a “tireless runner” by analyst Louorns on X, ended the 2024/25 campaign with a return of 25 goals and eight assists in all competitions, including two goals in the Champions League.

Strelec, who has scored seven goals for Slovakia at international level, showcased his ability to score and create goals at an exceptional rate as a centre-forward, and he could come in as an in-form striker who could provide a big threat in front of goal for Rodgers.

As you can see in the table above, the Slovakian marksman’s form suggests that he would be a far better option than Yamada, whilst also being one year younger than the potential Hoops signing.

He would also arrive at Celtic with experience in European football and having played in the Champions League, whilst the Japanese striker would have to adapt to European football.

Therefore, Strelec has far more potential to be the marquee striker who guarantees goals for the Premiership champions than Yamada does, because he would arrive at Parkhead off the back of a 25-goal season, rather than a two-goal one.

At the age of 24, the Slovakia international would also have room to develop and improve during his time at Celtic, making him a potential candidate to be sold on for a substantial profit in the future, even if they have to splash out £9m to bring him to the club.

Related

Celtic could sign their new Van Dijk in a star who once silenced Gyokeres

Celtic are interested in signing a defender who could be Virgil van Dijk 2.0 at Parkhead.

This is why the Scottish giants should be pushing to sign the Slovan sensation in the coming weeks to be the prolific number nine that Rodgers is desperate for.