adminKyogo Furuhashi Reveals Shock World Cup Ambition — And Already Shares Dream with One Birmingham City Player
Kyogo Furuhashi has expressed his desire to be part of Japan’s World Cup squad next summer and believes the ambition of Birmingham City can help him get there.
Kyogo became Blues’ sixth signing of the summer transfer window – and their fifth in the space of four very busy days.
James Beadle and Tommy Doyle, from Brighton and Wolves respectively, joined on season-long loan deals early in the week.
They were followed by Premier League winner Demarai Gray and former Champions League right-back Bright Osayi-Samuel, before 23-cap Japan international Kyogo became the fifth arrival in four days.
Phil Neumann had already signed a pre-contract agreement in January and officially became a Blues player following the expiry of his Hannover 96 contract on July 1.
“I’m very happy to be here,” Kyogo told Blues+. “I’m looking forward to working together with you all.”
Kyogo scored 85 goals in 165 matches during his time north of the border. He netted 31 goals in 18 months under Brendan Rodgers, but under Ange Postecoglou he enjoyed a breath-taking 2022/23 campaign which saw him score 34 times across all competitions. Blues boss Chris Davies has worked as assistant to both of Kyogo’s Celtic managers.
The skilful forward also scored eight times in 11 Old Firm derbies against Rangers.
“I get fired up more in bigger games,” the 30-year-old explained. “But I score goals because of team-mates, so I’m grateful for that. I’d like to achieve the same here, and hopefully my goals will make everyone happy.
“I have good memories (from Celtic) with lots of titles, so it was a wonderful three and a half, four years. Lots of fans still say hello to me, so I felt I was really lucky. But this is a new place, and I’d like to do my best here.”
Kyogo admitted that Blues will be chasing back-to-back promotions this season but he wants to do his talking on the pitch.
“I don’t want to talk a lot, but there’s a chance that we can go up to the Premier League. We all want to aim for that and after nine months, it will be great if we share the happiness of achieving that.”
Kyogo takes pride in playing for his national team and has made a call-up for the World Cup in the United States a top priority.
Japan were the first nation to book their place in the 2026 World Cup through qualifiers by beating Bahrain 2-0 back in March.
Alongside his international ambitions, Kyogo is more than in favour of playing in the Premier League, and doing it alongside his former Hoops teammate Tomoki Iwata is something he is aiming for.
Tomoki Iwata of Birmingham City netting one of his seven goals across competitions last term | Image: @BCFC
“Everyone wants to be in the national team and it’s the same with any country. I’d like to be in it and aspire to go to the World Cup.
“I’m happy to be able to play with Tomoki again, and he said the same too, so we’d like to aim to be in the Premier League together.”
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