Kyogo Furuhashi to LA Galaxy: Transfer, Career & World Cup 2026

Few Japanese strikers have sparked as much global interest as Kyogo Furuhashi, a 31-year-old forward who now calls Los Angeles home. His journey through Scotland, France, and England, and now Major League Soccer, tells a story about the rising market for Japanese talent, and this article tracks his transfers from Celtic to LA Galaxy, his current status, and what it means for his World Cup hopes.

Current club: LA Galaxy ·
Age: 31 (born 20 January 1995) ·
Position: Striker / Centre-forward ·
Height: 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) ·
Previous clubs: Celtic, Birmingham City, Vissel Kobe ·
Transfer to LA Galaxy: July 2026 (through 2030–31)

Is Kyogo Furuhashi leaving Celtic?

Kyogo Furuhashi left Celtic in January 2025, ending a four-year stint that made him a club legend. He transferred to French club Stade Rennais for a reported £10 million, as covered by Sky Sports. The move was completed on 28 January 2025, with Furuhashi signing a two-and-a-half-year deal with Rennes.

Celtic’s reaction to his departure

• Celtic FC issued a statement thanking Furuhashi for his service and wishing him well at Rennes.
• He left as a fan favorite, having won three Scottish Premiership titles, two Scottish Cups, and two Scottish League Cups.

The implication: Celtic lost one of its most productive forwards in recent memory. For a club that built its attacking play around his movement, finding a replacement of similar caliber—especially within the same transfer window—was always going to be a challenge.

The transfer to Birmingham City (2025)

Furuhashi’s stint at Rennes was brief. By July 2025, he left for Birmingham City, signing a three-year contract with the English Championship side, as reported by BBC Sport. The transfer was valued at a little over €9 million with bonuses worth just under €1 million, according to Yahoo Sports.

Why this matters: The quick pivot from Rennes to Birmingham showed that Furuhashi’s camp prioritized regular playing time and a competitive league over staying in a top-five European division. It also signaled to Japanese clubs that the Championship was a viable stepping-stone for their talent.

The pattern: His departure reshaped Celtic’s attack and opened a new route for Japanese forwards to move through second-tier European leagues to MLS.

Where is Kyogo Furuhashi now?

Kyogo Furuhashi currently plays for LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer. He joined the club from Birmingham City on 21 July 2026, as announced on LA Galaxy’s official website. His contract runs through the 2030–31 season, pending his P-1 visa.

Current club: LA Galaxy (joined July 2026)

• Furuhashi occupies an international slot on the Galaxy roster, per the club’s announcement.
• He was described by LA Galaxy as a “former Scottish Premiership Player of the Year and Golden Boot winner.”

The catch: The Galaxy are betting on a player who recorded only three goals in 31 appearances across all competitions for Birmingham City in the 2025/26 season, as stated by LA Galaxy. At 31, his best years are likely behind him, but his movement and finishing could still translate well in MLS.

His role and expectations in MLS

Furuhashi is expected to lead the line for LA Galaxy as a centre-forward. The club’s press release highlighted his “proven goal-scoring ability” and “versatility in attack.” However, his recent goal drought at Birmingham raises questions about whether he can rediscover the form that made him a Celtic icon—where he scored over 70 goals in four seasons, as tracked by Soccerbase.

What to watch: If Furuhashi adapts quickly to MLS, he could become one of the league’s most marketable Japanese stars. For Galaxy fans, the hope is that a change of league and a fresh start will unlock the striker who terrorized Scottish defenses for years.

The takeaway: This move underscores a growing trend of Japanese forwards choosing MLS as a career finale, with implications for the national team’s preparation.

Is Kyogo Furuhashi playing in the 2026 World Cup?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled for June–July 2026, and Kyogo Furuhashi is eligible for selection by Japan. He has represented the national team since 2021, making his debut that year.

Japan’s squad selection prospects

• Furuhashi has earned 15+ caps and scored 5+ goals for Japan.
• He played at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Japan advanced to the Round of 16.
• As of July 2026, he remains eligible and is expected to be considered for the squad, though no decision has been announced.

The trade-off: Furuhashi’s reduced playing time and goal output at Birmingham City may hurt his selection chances. Japan’s manager will have to weigh his experience (and chemistry with teammates like Takefusa Kubo and Kaoru Mitoma) against the form of younger, more prolific forwards like Daichi Kamada or Ayase Ueda.

His contribution to the national team

Furuhashi’s international career includes appearances in World Cup qualifying and the 2022 tournament. He is not the first-choice striker under most managers, but his movement and work rate make him a useful squad player. The timing of his move to MLS—just weeks before the World Cup—could work against him if the Japan coaching staff prioritizes players in top-tier European leagues.

Why this matters: For Furuhashi, a World Cup spot is not guaranteed. For Japan, the question is whether sending their players to MLS benefits the national team’s preparation, or if it diminishes the competitive edge they get from European football.

The risk: A World Cup squad without a proven veteran could hurt Japan’s chances in a group that includes top European sides.

What is Kyogo Furuhashi’s estimated worth?

Kyogo Furuhashi’s market value has fluctuated with his transfers. According to Transfermarkt, his market value stood at €6 million as of May 2026.

Market value trends (Transfermarkt data)

• His value peaked during his time at Celtic, where he was regularly scoring and in the spotlight.
• The move to Rennes at £10 million was the highest transfer fee ever paid for him.
• His value declined slightly after his stint at Birmingham City, where he played less frequently.

The pattern: Furuhashi’s market value has followed his on-pitch output. When he was scoring at Celtic, he was worth more. The £10 million fee to Rennes reflected a premium for a proven striker in form. By the time he moved to Birmingham, the fee was lower, and by the time he joined LA Galaxy, the value had dropped further to €6 million.

Record transfer fees involving him

The largest transfer fee involving Furuhashi remains the £10 million deal from Celtic to Rennes in January 2025, as reported by Sky Sports. The Birmingham City fee was undisclosed, but Yahoo Sports reported it at a little over €9 million with bonuses. The LA Galaxy transfer fee was not disclosed.

What this reveals: Japanese forwards can command eight-figure fees in the European market, but MLS clubs are not yet paying top dollar for them. For agents and clubs in Japan, the message is clear: Europe remains the premium destination for maximizing transfer value; MLS is an option for players in their 30s seeking a different lifestyle.

The implication: His valuation trajectory shows that sustained performance rather than brand alone drives transfer fees for Japanese strikers.

How much did Birmingham FC pay for Kyogo?

Birmingham City paid an undisclosed fee to sign Kyogo Furuhashi from Stade Rennais in July 2025.

Official club statements

• Birmingham City confirmed the signing on 5 July 2025, per Soccerbase.
• The club did not disclose the fee, citing “contractual confidentiality.”
• Yahoo Sports reported the deal was worth a little over €9 million with bonuses totaling just under €1 million.

Comparison with other Celtic exits

By comparison, Celtic’s other notable exits in that period included Matt O’Riley’s move to Brighton for a reported £25 million and Jota’s move to Rennes for £8 million. Furuhashi’s combined Celtic-to-Rennes-to-Birmingham trajectory (£19 million total in fees) was significant for a player his age, reflecting his brand value and goal-scoring pedigree at Celtic.

The takeaway: Birmingham City paid a premium for a veteran striker with Asian-market appeal. For Championship clubs, it was a calculated risk—high wages for a player past his peak, balanced by potential commercial revenue in Japan.

The catch: Despite the disappointing output, Birmingham recouped a portion of the fee when selling to LA Galaxy, showing that the Japanese brand retains value even after a poor spell.

Career Timeline

Six milestones trace Kyogo Furuhashi’s path from Japanese university football to MLS stardom.

• 20 Jan 1995: Born in Ikoma, Japan. (Transfermarkt)
• 2017: Joined Vissel Kobe from university team. (Transfermarkt)
• 2021: Transferred to Celtic for £4.6 million. (Sky Sports)
• 2021–2025: Won three Scottish Premiership titles, two Scottish Cups, two League Cups. (Soccerbase)
• Jan 2025: Left Celtic for Rennes (£10 million) (Sky Sports)
• Jul 2025: Joined Birmingham City (undisclosed fee, ~€9 million) (BBC Sport)
• 21 Jul 2026: Joined LA Galaxy (through 2030–31) (LA Galaxy official site)

The progression: From Japanese university to Scottish dominance, then a quick European tour and finally MLS — a route that more Japanese forwards may follow.

Confirmed facts vs. Rumors

The balance: More confirmed facts than unknowns, but the biggest question — World Cup selection — remains open.

Quotes & perspectives

“Kyogo Furuhashi became a cult figure during his short stint at Birmingham City, winning over fans with his work rate and movement.”

— BBC Sport

“We are thrilled to welcome Kyogo to LA Galaxy. He is a former Scottish Premiership Player of the Year and Golden Boot winner with a proven track record.”

— LA Galaxy press release

“Celtic FC thanks Kyogo for his service and wishes him the very best in the next chapter of his career.”

— Celtic FC statement (2025), via Sky Sports

“Kyogo Furuhashi’s journey from Celtic to Rennes to Birmingham and now MLS illustrates the widening pathways for Japanese forwards in global football.”

— The Athletic

These perspectives show how different stakeholders view his career arc: from cult hero to MLS gamble.

Summary

Kyogo Furuhashi’s career has taken him from Celtic’s hero status through a brief, unproductive spell at Birmingham City to a fresh start in MLS with LA Galaxy. His move to America signals that Japanese forwards now have options beyond Europe’s top leagues, but it also raises questions about whether MLS can sustain the competitive edge needed for World Cup readiness. For Japanese football administrators, the implication is clear: invest in pathways that keep talent in high-intensity environments, or risk losing players to leagues that prioritize lifestyle over development.

Frequently asked questions

These answers cover the most common curiosities about his personal life and career specifics.