Kyogo Furuhashi’s agent has shed light on the Japanese striker’s shock January departure from Celtic, revealing that the move to Rennes was driven by ambitions of a World Cup rather than financial gain.

Furuhashi, who became a fan favourite at Celtic with his knack for scoring big goals in big games, left the club mid-season. His sudden exit sparked debate among fans, particularly given Celtic’s failure to secure a direct replacement before the transfer window closed.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, Joel Pannick explained that Kyogo had interest from clubs around the world, many offering lucrative deals. However, the desire to compete in a better-recognised league, especially with the 2026 World Cup in mind.

“We had teams from all over the world express interest,” he said to The Sunday Times.

“There are certain markets where it would have been a very lucrative contract, but what sporting ambitions would realistically be achieved, particularly with the World Cup in mind in 18 months?

“Then we had to speak to Celtic to understand their perspective because a club has no desire to lose their best player halfway through the season.”

Pannick also confirmed that discussions had been ongoing for two months before the move was completed.

Celtic ultimately sanctioned the sale—much to the frustration of fans and pundits like Chris Sutton, who criticised the club for not securing a replacement.

Furuhashi’s exit left a gaping hole in Celtic’s attack, with the responsibility now falling on Adam Idah, Johnny Kenny, and Daizen Maeda to fill the void. While Idah has shown promising form recently, many believe Celtic’s decision to let Kyogo leave without proper cover was a huge gamble, especially with key fixtures in the Champions League and domestic competitions looming.

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding his exit, Kyogo’s legacy at Celtic is secure. His goals scored, and memories created have ensured he left as one of the most beloved players in recent years.