Reo Hatate, born on the 21st of November 1997, is a commanding presence in midfield for Celtic, hailing from Japan. A strong yet agile player, Hatate stands at roughly 5ft 7in (1.71m) tall and maintains a fighting weight of approximately 11 stone (70kg). This tenacious midfielder dons the number 41 jersey for Celtic and has also worn the colours of his home country, representing the Japan national team on the world stage.
According to reliable sources at Transfermarkt, Hatate has carved out an exceptional reputation for himself. They’ve currently priced his talents, and leagues around the world would likely vouch for their estimate to be in the realm of around £10m.
His journey with Celtic began in the January of 2022, with a transfer fee of approximately £1.4m negotiated with his former club, Kawasaki Frontale of the J1 League in Japan. This move came on the back of Hatate making quite a splash in his home country - emerging from relative obscurity with a solitary first team appearance in 2019, to becoming a regular fixture for Kawasaki Frontale in the subsequent seasons. His time in Japan culminated in him impressively scoring five goals whilst making 30 appearances in 2021.
Once in the green and white of Celtic, Hatate didn't waste time making himself known. Over the span of four years, his increasingly influential performances have seen him solidifying his spot in the first team. As of the current season (2025-2026), Hatate has bagged one goal in 20 first team appearances, steadily adding to his scoring tally from previous seasons. Over the past four years, he has consistently displayed his goalscoring prowess for Celtic- finding the back of the net ten times during the 2024-2025 season alone.
Hatate's contributions extend beyond domestic duties for Celtic. His service for the club has been instrumental in key competitions. Just in the 2025-2026 season, he has put in significant performances in the League Cup and Scottish Cup. His international duty with Japan in the World Cup Qualifiers from 2024 to 2026, Celtic's stint in the Champions League Qualifiers, and their journey in the Europa League during the 2025-2026 seasons bear testament to this versatile player's tenacity and talent.
Overall, Reo Hatate is proving to be an exceptional asset for Celtic and an influential player in Scottish football. At the mere age of 28, there's fortuitous promise that the best is yet to come from this dynamic midfielder.
