Who is Kanji Okunuki? Celtic transfer 'target' in focus after Hearts teed up Japanese star

It should come as no surprise that Celtic have been linked with another Japanese talent.

The Hoops have reportedly been scouting Kanji Okunuki "intensively" over the last few weeks after enjoying huge success plundering the Japanese player market under Ange Postecoglou. Kyogo is the main man while compatriots Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda are key members of the squad, with Brendan Rodgers continuing to rely heavily on them despite a change in style since the Aussie's departure. Tomoki Iwata remains on the fringes, but scored his first goal for the club against Hearts last month and looks like he has something to offer.

Yuki Kobayashi looks like he could be on his way out, failing to be quoted even during a central defensive injury crisis, only named on the bench once this season. Yosuke ideguchi has become something of a forgotten man out on loan at Avispa Fukuoka back in Japan, although still has over two years left to run on his Celtic contract.

Okunuki could be the latest Japanese import to swell the ranks. But who is he and what would he add? Record Sport takes a closer look.

The 24-year-old was born in Saitama and progressed through the youth ranks with local club Omiya Ardija before graduating to the top team in January 2018. 14 goals in almost 100 appearances caught the attention of Gornik Zabrze of Poland. He joined the Ekstraklasa club on a season-long loan in August 2022, which included an option to make the deal permanent.

However, that wasn't taken up and Okunuki joined Nurnberg last summer. He's scored four goals in 15 appearances for the Bundesliga 2 outfit and received his first call up to the Japan squad last month, but is yet to make his debut for the Samurai Blue.

Okunuki is right footed but plays on