Kyogo Furuhashi’s Shocking Contract Clause: A Potential Celtic Return from Rennes in 2024?
Kyogo Furuhashi’s departure from Celtic to Rennes in January 2025 sent shockwaves through the footballing world, leaving fans of the Scottish giants reeling from the loss of their prolific striker. The Japan international, who netted an impressive 85 goals in 165 appearances during his three-and-a-half-year stint at Celtic, traded the green and white of Paradise for the red and black of Ligue 1 in a £10million deal. However, whispers of a sensational twist have begun to emerge—a hidden clause in his Rennes contract that could pave the way for an astonishing return to Celtic, with the possibility dating back to as early as 2024.
Furuhashi’s move to Rennes was driven by his ambition to secure a spot in Japan’s national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the forward reportedly believing a stint in one of Europe’s top five leagues would bolster his chances. Yet, his time in Brittany has been anything but a fairytale. Struggling to find the net—he’s yet to score in his limited appearances—and grappling with a persistent shoulder injury, Kyogo’s stock has taken a hit. Rennes, meanwhile, have hovered uncomfortably close to the Ligue 1 relegation zone, adding further uncertainty to his future. Now, a bombshell revelation about his contract could turn the tide, potentially bringing the 30-year-old back to Glasgow sooner than anyone anticipated.
According to emerging speculation, Kyogo’s two-and-a-half-year deal with Rennes, signed on January 27, 2025, contains a little-known recall clause tied to his performance and the club’s standing. The clause reportedly allows for an early termination or loan arrangement if certain conditions are met—conditions that could have been triggered as far back as the summer of 2024, before his official transfer even took place. While the exact details remain shrouded in mystery, sources suggest it hinges on a combination of his goal tally, playing time, and Rennes’ league position. If these benchmarks aren’t met, Celtic could have the opportunity to swoop in and reclaim their former talisman at a significantly reduced cost.
Imagine the scenario: Kyogo, frustrated by his lack of impact in France and sidelined by injury, activates this clause—or Rennes, eager to offload a player who hasn’t lived up to expectations, agrees to negotiate. Celtic, who cashed in £10million on his departure, could potentially bring him back for a fraction of that fee, perhaps as low as the £3.5million floated by pundits in March 2025. The timeline is where it gets intriguing. Though his transfer to Rennes occurred in 2025, the clause’s origins might trace back to negotiations in 2024, when Kyogo switched agents and first signaled his intent to seek a new challenge. Could this have been a safeguard insisted upon by his camp, anticipating a possible return to a club where he thrived?
For Celtic, this could be a game-changer. The Hoops faithful adored Kyogo for his relentless energy, clinical finishing, and knack for scoring in big games—think Old Firm derbies, cup finals, and Champions League nights. His exit left a void, despite the arrival of Jota from Rennes in a separate deal. While Jota has hit the ground running back at Celtic Park, the striker position remains a concern for Brendan Rodgers, who admitted in January 2025 that he’d hoped to replace Kyogo before the transfer window closed. A return for the Japanese star would reignite the attack, pairing his proven goal-scoring prowess with a squad already dominating the Scottish Premiership and eyeing further European success.
The feasibility of this clause isn’t pure fantasy. Football contracts often include performance-based stipulations, and Kyogo’s struggles—coupled with Rennes’ managerial upheaval (Jorge Sampaoli’s abrupt exit days after his signing) and their mid-table malaise—could align perfectly with such a trigger. Keith Wyness, former Aberdeen CEO, hinted at this possibility in March 2025, calling a return to Celtic a “no-brainer” and suggesting Furuhashi may have been “badly advised” in leaving. If the clause existed as early as 2024, it might have been a contingency plan, allowing Kyogo to retreat to familiar territory if his Ligue 1 gamble failed.
Of course, challenges remain. Rennes would need to agree to any deal, and Celtic’s board would have to weigh the financials—though a cut-price return would surely tempt them. Kyogo’s shoulder injury, which Rennes confirmed requires surgery with a four-month recovery, could complicate matters, potentially delaying his availability until mid-2025. Yet, if the clause was indeed active from 2024, it might have allowed Celtic to initiate talks earlier, perhaps even before his official move materialized, setting the stage for a dramatic homecoming.
For Celtic fans, the prospect of Kyogo back in the hoops is tantalizing. His emotional farewell message in January 2025—“I will never forget the Championships, the Old Firm victories, or playing at Celtic Park on Champions League nights”—hinted at a bond that never truly broke. If this shocking clause proves real, it could rewrite the narrative of his career, turning a misstep in France into a triumphant return to Paradise. As of April 6, 2025, it’s still speculation—but in football, stranger things have happened. Watch this space.
