Yuki Kobayashi is expected to lead a mini exodus from Celtic in January.
The defender was signed last January but after seven appearances and a change of manager since arriving it seems that his time in Scotland is over.
Since he signed the hoops have added Maik Nawrocki and Gus Lagerbielke, recalled Liam Scales from Aberdeen and re-signed Stephen Welsh on a new contract.
In The Sun the reliable David Friel reports:
YUKI KOBAYASHI is a target for several J-League clubs as he prepares to return to Japan in January.
The Celtic defender has yet to make a competitive appearance under Brendan Rodgers, and is poised to exit on loan.
Kobayashi, 23, would be keen on a return to old club Vissel Kobe, but SunSport understands a number of J.League sides are eyeing him up.
He remains highly rated in his homeland, despite flopping at Celts since his arrival last January.
Kobayashi has made just seven appearances after arriving on a free transfer under former boss Ange Postecoglou.
He was set to be allowed to leave on loan in the summer before picking up an injury.
Kobayashi was signed as a free agent after his Vissel contract expired but was left out of Celtic’s Champions League squad.
Cameron Carter-Vickers need for surgery after last season’s Scottish Cup semi-final gave Kobayashi his chance to impress but he found his place being taken by midfielder Tomoki Iwata.
With a long term Celtic contract, like Yosuke Ideguchi it seems that a loan to a J-League side is more likely than a permanent deal.
In February 2021 Friel revealed that Neil Lennon had resigned before Celtic informed the Stock Market.
