Birmingham sign ex-Celtic forward Furuhashi

Kyogo Furuhashi has been capped 23 times by Japan, scoring five goals

Birmingham City have continued their busy summer recruitment by landing ex-Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi from French top-flight side Rennes for an undisclosed fee.

The Japan international has agreed a three-year deal with Blues, who were promoted back to the Championship after a record-breaking season as League One champions.

He scored 85 goals in 165 appearances for the Bhoys and was the Scottish Premiership's leading scorer in the 2022-23 season with 27 goals.

Furuhashi joined Rennes in January for £10m but is back in Britain just six months later with Chris Davies' newly-promoted side, despite being heavily linked with a return to Celtic.

He won four Scottish Premiership titles during four years with the Glasgow club from 2021-25 and has also lifted two Scottish Cups and three Scottish League Cups.

Furuhashi joins compatriot Tomoki Iwota at Blues, who have signed Nigeria full-back Bright Osayi-Samuel and Jamaica winger Demarai Gray in the past week as well as Wolves midfielder Tommy Doyle and Euro Under-21 winning goalkeeper James Beadle on loan.