On a brisk January day, Celtic Football Club unveiled the latest twist in their ongoing transfer saga: Shin Yamada, the 25-year-old Japanese striker, has officially departed for Preußen Münster on loan until the end of the 2025/26 season. Celtic confirmed the move with a succinct social media post on January 27, 2026, wishing the forward well as he embarks on a new chapter in Germany’s 2. Bundesliga. The message from the club read, "Shin Yamada has joined Preußen Münster on loan until the end of the season. Best of luck, Shin!"
For Yamada, the move represents a chance to reignite a career that has struggled to take flight in Scotland. Since arriving from Kawasaki Frontale last summer, he has found opportunities scarce, making just 12 appearances in all competitions and starting only once. That’s a tough pill to swallow for any ambitious player, especially one who arrived with high hopes after a standout spell in Japan’s J1 League. It’s not just the matchday squads that eluded him—Yamada was also left out of Celtic’s Europa League roster, rendering him ineligible for European action this season.
Preußen Münster, Yamada’s new home, currently sits 15th in the 2. Bundesliga, mirroring their finish from last season. The German club, locked in a battle for survival in the nation’s fiercely competitive second tier, will be hoping that Yamada’s arrival injects some much-needed firepower into their attack. For Yamada, the move presents a golden opportunity: regular minutes, a fresh environment, and a chance to prove his worth on a new stage. Can he seize it? Only time will tell.
Yamada isn’t the only Japanese player to leave Celtic in recent weeks. Hayato Inamura, another summer signing from the J1 League—this time from Albirex Niigata—also struggled to break into the first team. Like Yamada, Inamura found himself on the fringes, absent from the Europa League squad and rarely featuring on matchdays. Earlier this January, Inamura returned to Japan, signing with FC Tokyo and bringing his brief Scottish adventure to a close.
These departures mark a significant moment for Celtic’s recruitment strategy. Last summer, the club made a concerted push to tap into the Japanese market, bringing in both Yamada and Inamura as part of what former manager Brendan Rodgers described as "club" signings. The hope was that the duo would bolster the squad’s depth and bring a fresh dimension to the attack. Instead, both found themselves unable to dislodge established stars in a team hungry for domestic and European glory.
Manager Martin O’Neill, who took the reins after Rodgers, has been left to reshape the squad as the January transfer window ticks toward its conclusion. The exits of Yamada and Inamura have freed up space and resources, and Celtic have wasted no time in making moves of their own. This month, the club has secured two new faces on loan: Julian Araujo, arriving from Bournemouth, and Tomas Cvancara, on loan from Borussia Monchengladbach. Both players are expected to provide immediate reinforcements as Celtic look to defend their Scottish Premiership crown.
O’Neill’s approach has been pragmatic and ambitious. While the club’s European campaign has been hamstrung by squad limitations and tough opposition, the domestic league remains firmly in their sights. The manager’s willingness to refresh the squad mid-season signals a determination to keep Celtic at the summit of Scottish football. "We’re always looking to strengthen where we can," O’Neill has said in previous windows, and this January is proving no different.
The departures of Yamada and Inamura also highlight the challenges that can come with international recruitment. For all the potential and promise, adaptation to a new league, culture, and style of play is never guaranteed. Both players arrived with impressive resumes from Japan but struggled to make an impact amid fierce competition for places. Their absence from the Europa League squad was a clear indicator of their standing within the club’s pecking order.
For Preußen Münster, the acquisition of Yamada is a calculated gamble. The German side, desperate to avoid relegation and stabilize their position in the 2. Bundesliga, will be hoping that the Japanese forward can translate his potential into goals and assists. With the club rooted in 15th place, every point and every goal matters. Yamada’s versatility and energy could prove vital as Münster navigates the second half of the campaign.
Meanwhile, Celtic’s January business isn’t finished yet. With the transfer window set to close next week, the club remains active in the market. There are whispers of further additions, as O’Neill and the recruitment team look to add depth and quality for the run-in. The arrival of Araujo and Cvancara has already sparked excitement among fans, but there’s a sense that more could be on the horizon.
As the window nears its conclusion, speculation abounds about potential targets. Celtic’s recent transfer activity reflects a club determined not to rest on its laurels. The departures of Yamada and Inamura may not have gone as planned, but the club’s willingness to act decisively—both in letting players move on and bringing in fresh blood—underscores a commitment to maintaining high standards on and off the pitch.
The story of Shin Yamada’s Celtic stint is a reminder of football’s unpredictability. Signed with hope and promise, he struggled for minutes, battled for inclusion, and ultimately found a new opportunity in Germany. For Celtic, it’s a chance to recalibrate and push forward in pursuit of silverware. For Yamada, it’s a fresh start—a chance to show what he can do when given the opportunity. As the Scottish giants and their former Japanese import embark on new paths, fans on both sides will be watching closely to see what comes next.
With the January transfer window set to slam shut next week, all eyes remain on Celtic’s next moves. Will new signings arrive to bolster their title defense? Will Yamada find his scoring touch in Germany? The answers are coming soon, and for now, the transfer drama continues to unfold.