Celtic Defender Junto Inamura Returns to Japan on Loan to FC Tokyo
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Celtic Football Club has announced that defender Junto Inamura will join J1 League side FC Tokyo on loan through the end of the 2025/26 season, concluding in june 2026. The move represents a significant shift for the player, who has seen limited playing time as arriving at the Scottish Premiership club in 2024.
Inamura signed with Celtic from Albirex niigata – then a J1 team, now competing in J2 – but featured in onyl one official match for the Glasgow-based club. This lack of prospect has fueled speculation and, according to reports, a critical assessment of his time in Scotland.
Harsh criticism from Scottish Media
Scottish media outlets have been notably blunt in their coverage of Inamura’s loan transfer.Publications have characterized the move as an acknowledgement of his marginalization within the Celtic squad. Celtic Way described Inamura as a “Forgotten Celtic defender,” a sentiment echoed by The Glasgow Times, which labeled him a “little-seen defender” returning to Japan.
Further criticism came from The Celtic Star, which published a report titled “forgotten celt Hayato Inamura,” asserting that the player “was unable to make his presence felt within the club.” These reports highlight the pressure Inamura faced to establish himself in a competitive environment.
A Return to Familiar Territory
The loan move sees Inamura rejoin FC Tokyo, a club with which he has prior ties. He spent two years in the club’s academy system until 2017, making this transfer a return to a familiar environment.FC Tokyo finished 11th in the J1 League during the 2025 season, providing Inamura with an opportunity to contribute to a team seeking to improve its standing.
Inamura himself expressed a desire for growth and self-improvement as the driving force behind his decision. “I decided to join this club after thinking about what I need to do to achieve my goals,” he stated. “Although I am still far from there, I will accept my weaknesses and the disappointments of last year, gain various experiences, and strive to become that kind of player.”
Future Uncertain: Will inamura Return to Celtic?
The duration of the loan agreement raises questions about Inamura’s long-term future. Whether he will return to Scotland after June 2026, or opt to continue his career in Japan, remains to be seen. The outcome will likely be closely watched by observers in both countries, as Inamura seeks to revitalize his career and fulfill his potential.
Why did this happen? Junto Inamura was loaned to FC Tokyo due to limited playing time at Celtic since joining in 2024.He made only one official appearance for the club and faced criticism from Scottish media regarding his lack of impact.
Who is involved? The key players are Junto Inamura (the player), Celtic Football Club (his parent club), and FC Tokyo (the loan club). Scottish media outlets also played a role through their coverage.
What is the outcome? Inamura will play for FC Tokyo on loan until June 2026. His future with Celtic is uncertain and depends on his performance in Japan.
How did it end? After struggling to break into the Celtic first team,and facing media scrutiny,Celtic agreed to loan Inamura to FC Tokyo,allowing him to return to a familiar environment and gain regular playing time. The loan is set to conclude in June 2026, at which point his future will be re-evaluated.
