Andres Iniesta has sent an emotional message of support to the outgoing Vissel Kobe teammate Kyogo Furuhashi, when he gets ready to join Ange Postecoglou at Celtic.
Furuhashi’s signing was announced over the weekend as Postecoglou’s third summer signing, joining Sheffield Wednesday’s Osaze Urhoghide and Israeli winger Liel Abada at Parkhead.
The 26-year-old is the most exciting of the party, but after scoring 15 goals in 21 games despite playing wide for Vissel Kobe this season.
Friends, place a changing room account and see your crime. I have a lot to say that you can complete your game in European football. Mucha suerte, @kyogo_furuhashi pic️ pic.twitter.com/bXpP2IYgai
– Andrés Iniesta (@ andresiniesta8) July 18, 2021
He has become one of the most exciting strikers in Japan since joining Kobe in 2018, and he has cited Spanish legends Iniesta and David Villa as formative influences, having played alongside each of them in the J-League.
Iniesta in particular has been a guiding light for Furuhashi, and the two have met a close friendship after arriving in Kobe at the same time.
And Iniesta, who spoke on Twitter, sent a message of support to the winger, who is fulfilling his “dream” of playing in Europe.
“Friend, a pleasure to share your wardrobe with you and see your growth.
“I am very happy that you can fulfill your dream of playing in European football. Good luck.”
Complementing the tweet with a three-leaf clover emoji, it’s the latest example of Iniesta suggesting a love for Celtic.
Goodbye @Kyogo_Furuhashi !?
ョ ョ ー ゴ 、 神 神 戸 か ら 大 大 き 羽 ば ば け #? # Visselkobe # ヴ ィ ッ セ ル 神. Pic.twitter.com/3xtleauELh
– v ィ ッ セ ル 神 神 (@visselkobe) 18 July 2021
Speaking of Barcelona’s Champions League tie at Parkhead in 2012 – which Celtic famously won despite seeing a 16% stake – Iniesta claimed that the atmosphere was one of the best he has ever played in.
“I will never forget playing against Celtic either,” he said years later. “The atmosphere is one of the best in the world. I was lucky enough to play there several times and it was always so intense. It was an honor to play in the middle of such an incredible sound.”
Celtic meet Midtjylland at Parkhead in the Champions League second qualifier on Tuesday – so it will probably not be long before Furuhashi gets a taste of that atmosphere himself.
