The striker has struggled for game time since turning down the chance to return to the Hoops in January
(Image: Dennis Goodwin/ProSports/Shutterstock)
Boss Chris Davies has admitted to dropping striker Kyogo Furuhashi from his Birmingham City plans.
The confession comes after the Japan international knocked back the chance to return to Celtic on loan in the winter transfer window. The hitman was a fans favourite after he was signed from the J-League by Ange Postecoglou in 2021 – netting 85 goals in 165 appearances for the club.
He would enjoy a glittering career in Glasgow’s East End winning eight trophies before pulling the curtain down on his Parkhead career to join Stade Rennes in January 2025. The switch to France didn’t work out for the hitman and just six months later he returned to the UK to join Birmingham in a bumper £10million deal.
But things haven’t worked out for Kyogo at the cash-rich English Championship side hasn’t worked out so far. The 31-year-old has netted just three goals this season and one in the league.
With the frontman facing the prospect of missing out on Japan’s World Cup squad, Celtic enquired over a loan deal to bring the frontman back to the Hoops. Following talks, Martin O’Neill described a deal as “unlikely” with Kyogo looking to remain with the English Championship side and fight for his place.
The Hoops added strikers Tomas Cvancara and Junior Adamu on loan instead. Since that decision, the frontman has drifted further down the pecking order in Birmingham.
Striker Marvin Ducksch has kept his spot as the first-choice striker while £6million January recruit August Priske acting as cover.
Kyogo Furuhashi of Birmingham City(Image: Matt West/Shutterstock)
His last appearance came on January 24, when the forward made a nine-minute cameo off the bench in the 1-1 draw with Stoke City.
While Kyogo has been hampered by injury amid speculation over a move to Major League Soccer – with the window open Stateside until March 26 – Davies has clarified the situation for the attacker.
The attacker did travel with the team for Saturday’s clash with Charlton, but missed out on the 20-man squad.
Davies was asked to clarify Kyogo’s exclusion, and told the Birmingham Mail: “That’s just a selection.”
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