Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi has been one of Ange Postecoglou’s foremost signings since he arrived at the club in 2021.

The Japanese has scored a plethora of goals in green and white so far but has recently revealed how he may not even have been a footballer and rather a swimmer. The striker said (Glasgow Times):

“I was a swimmer from three years old, but all the kids in the neighbourhood were playing football and I thought: ‘That’s cool’, so I started playing.

“I tried really hard at swimming, I tried to compete in national competitions.

“At such a young age, I just played football for my love of it. I enjoyed it.”

It appears that football used to take a back seat in Kyogo’s life which is rather surprising now considering his prodigious ability and that he plays it for a living.

Moreover, his career almost came to an abrupt end when he graduated from University.

Then, no teams seemed to be after him apart from second tier Japanese side FC Gifu. With widespread support from his friends and family, Kyogo took the opportunity. The 28 year old said:

“When nobody called, I thought about giving up on my career. But luckily Gifu called me with a place on their team and that’s how I started. I’ve always appreciated that.

“My family were saying you try hard but you stop then you think you’re ok, that everyone supported me all the way through until here.”

Celtic fans can thank Kyogo’s family for backing him all the way as if they didn’t, he may not be in the position he is today and scoring the goals he is for Celtic.

With 33 strikes in 2022/23, he has truly been on incredible form this campaign and I think I speak for all Hoops fans when I say thank goodness Kyogo did not go down the swimming route.