FORGOTTEN Celtic defender Yuki Kobayashi has left the champions in a four-year deal to Portuguese side Portimonense.
The Japanese centre-back didn’t make a solitary appearance for Brendan Rodgers’ men last season and has now quit Parkhead for an undisclosed fee, according to the Scottish Sun.
Kobayashi was signed by ex-boss Ange Postecoglou on a free from J-League outfit Vissel Kobe – Kyogo Furuhashi’s former club – in January 2023.
The 24-year-old left-sided operator started only five games for the Hoops, one of the last being a non-event 3-0 loss at Ibrox on May 13 a week after the team had clinched the title against Hearts at Tynecastle.
FINAL FAREWELL…Yuki Kobayashi attempts to prevent a header from Hibs striker Kevin Nisbet with keeper Scott Bain grounded in his side’s 4-2 defeat at Easter Road on May 24 2023, the defender’s last appearance for Celtic.
He also later figured in a 4-2 defeat from Hibs at Easter Road before dropping out of Postecoglou’s reckoning.
Kobayashi has been similarly overlooked by Rodgers and it looked as though he was heading back to his homeland in March on a nine-month loan to top-flight Kashima Antlers, as CQN reported.
However, the Hoops knocked back the deal while they had injury concerns in the central defensive positions.
The ball-playing Japanese performer – who was clearly not suited to the rigours of Scottish football – could be joined through the Parkhead exit within the next 48 hours by Gustaf Lagerbielke.
The Swedish international is wanted by Dutch side Heerenveen and Belgian club KV Mechelen and a decision is expected soon.
He cost £3million when he arrived from Elfsborg last summer, but made only 10 appearances during his debut campaign.
