NEW Bhoy Shin Yamada has revealed the role Reo Hatate played in his £1.3million move to Celtic.
The Japanese striker was in tears as he said an emotional farewell to his hometown club Kawasaki Frontale as he prepared for a new adventure in Scotland.
Coincidentally, Hatate had taken the same journey when he left the team for the Hoops in January 2022 as he arrived on these shores along with Daizen Maeda and Yosuke Ideguchi as part of the Ange Postecoglou Revolution.
Yamada had no hesitation in agreeing a four-year deal, especially after some chats with his countryman.
JOY BHOY…Reo Hatate is engulfed in green and white ticker tape during the title celebrations at Parkhead in the final Premiership game of the season, the 1-1 draw with Sunday’s opponents St. Mirren.
The pacy, powerful hitman, who netted the winning penalty-kick in the spot-kick shoot-out against Al-Ahli in Como on Saturday night, said: “I have been speaking with Reo and the other guys.
“I had a video call with Reo before I came over and we had a good chat about everything.
“He gave me some good recommendations. Having Daizen and Inamura here as other Japanese players has also helped me. The club even has an excellent interpreter who has helped me on and off the pitch.
“The staff from at Celtic have told me some things. I have also done some research of my own.
“I plan to learn English, having started studying in Japan. I will study more when I get to Scotland, but at the moment the language seems very fast.”
Preparing himself for the challenges at the champions, Yamada, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “I am 25 now, so I’m not really young any more.
“I wanted to challenge myself. I had options to stay in Japan, as well, but felt the decision I made was good for my career.
THE ITALIAN JOB…Shin Yamada joins team-mates Alistair Johnston and Kasper Schmeichel in applauding the Celtic fans in Como at the weekend.
“Kawasaki Frontale is the club where I grew up. It’s the club that took care of me since I was in their Academy and I always wanted to contribute to the club.
“But I also had another dream I wanted to pursue for my career. It was sad for me to leave – but I had to make that decision. By coming to Celtic, I believe I can improve myself more. That’s why I made my decision.”
Yamada, who could make his Parkhead debut on Sunday when St Mirren provide the opposition in the Premiership opener, added: “Obviously, the Champions League is something that I have admired.
“I have been dreaming of playing there.
“If the team is doing well in the tournament then that would be great. And if I can be involved in those great results then that would be something I would be grateful for.
”I have high confidence I can score goals at that level, but without my team-mates I cannot score, so I need to improve my connections and communications with the rest of the team.
“That’s what I need to improve quickly.”
