Imminent Celtic signing Shin Yamada has opened up on his motivations for making the switch to Glasgow, revealing his ambitions to represent Japan at next summer’s World Cup were central to his decision.

Yamada admitted it was a strange feeling playing his final match in Japan but knew the time was right to take the next step in his career.

The 25-year-old was welcomed warmly by supporters in his homeland before departing and is now focused on adapting to life in Europe, believing that a move abroad was necessary to maximise his chances of becoming a regular for the national team.

With Celtic set to embark on another European campaign and hoping to continue their domestic dominance, the move offers Yamada the platform to develop his game further and make an impression on the international stage.

He said: “My ultimate ambition is to play for Japan at the World Cup next year and help us win the trophy. And I thought my best chance of having an opportunity of doing that would be to transfer overseas.

“It was my own decision. Playing for this club for the final time was strange because I have felt nothing but warmth and it had become a part of my life for the last two-and-a-half years. It hasn’t really dawned on me yet that it was my last game, but I felt the love from the fans.

“I made my debut for Japan recently and now I am aiming for further growth in my career in my new environment.

“I understand I need to improve my overall game at my new club. I don’t want to set a target for how many goals I will score, but I know I need to score more goals.”

Yamada’s arrival adds further competition to Celtic’s attacking options as Brendan Rodgers reshapes his squad for the new season. The Japanese forward joins fellow countrymen Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda, and Hayato Inamura in Glasgow, with Celtic continuing to tap into a market that’s brought notable success in recent years.

Rodgers will be looking for Yamada to bring energy, directness and goals to the frontline, especially with Champions League qualifiers. The move also offers the player a bigger stage to impress Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu ahead of squad selection for the tournament.

While Yamada has acknowledged the challenge ahead, his hunger to develop in a new environment will be welcomed at Lennoxtown as pre-season preparations continue.

His determination to grow as a player could see him emerge as another success story from Celtic’s brilliant relationship with Japanese football.