Full Breakdown
Kyogo Furuhashi Joins LA Galaxy on Long-Term Deal
7/22/2026, 12:46:34 PM
Transfer Announcement
On July 21, 2026, LA Galaxy announced that it has agreed to a transfer for forward Kyogo Furuhashi from Birmingham City. The contract runs through the 2030-31 Major League Soccer (MLS) season and is contingent on the receipt of a P-1 visa, after which he will occupy an International Slot on the Galaxy roster.
Player Profile & Recent Form
- Date of birth: January 20, 1995; Age: 31; Birthplace: Ikoma, Nara, Japan.
- International experience: 23 caps for the Japan National Team since his senior debut in 2019.
- Career trajectory: Began professionally with FC Gifu in Japan’s J2 League, then moved to Vissel Kobe where he helped capture the Emperor’s Cup and Japanese Super Cup in 2020 and scored 15 league goals in 21 appearances in 2021. He transferred to Celtic in 2021, tallying 85 goals and 19 assists in 165 appearances, winning four Scottish Premiership titles and a domestic treble. In the 2022/23 season he recorded 34 goals in all competitions, earning both the Scottish Premiership Player of the Year and Golden Boot awards. After a half-season with Stade Rennes in Ligue 1 (six appearances in 2024/25), he joined Birmingham City for the 2025/26 campaign, making 31 appearances across all competitions and scoring three goals (one goal in 28 Championship matches).
Transfer Details
- The transfer fee has not been disclosed.
- Furuhashi will join the Galaxy after his P-1 visa is approved.
- The signing adds a seasoned international forward to a Galaxy attack that already includes Marco Reus, Joseph Paintsil and João Klauss.
Official Statements & Responses
- Will Kuntz, General Manager of LA Galaxy, said the club is excited to welcome Furuhashi, noting his extensive experience with the Japan national team, the UEFA Champions League and top European leagues, and expressing confidence that he will make a significant impact both on and off the field.
- Birmingham City issued a statement confirming that Furuhashi has completed a permanent transfer to LA Galaxy for an undisclosed fee, thanking him for his contributions during the 2025/26 season and wishing him success in the United States.
Background & Context
Furuhashi’s move follows a challenging season in the English Championship, where his goal output dropped sharply compared with his prolific spell at Celtic. The Galaxy’s acquisition reflects a strategic effort to bolster its attacking options with a player who has demonstrated high-level performance in multiple leagues and international competition.
Data & Statistics
- Celtic (2021-2025): 165 matches, 85 goals, 19 assists.
- 2022/23 season: 34 goals in all competitions; Player of the Year and Golden Boot.
- Birmingham City (2025/26): 31 appearances, 3 goals in all competitions; 1 goal in 28 Championship matches.
- International caps: 23 for Japan.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Sources agree on three goals in 31 total appearances for Birmingham City, but one source specifies only one league goal in 28 Championship matches, indicating a discrepancy between total-competition and league-only statistics.
- The exact timeline for the P-1 visa approval remains unspecified, leaving the precise date of Furuhashi’s arrival uncertain.
What’s Next
Furuhashi is expected to join LA Galaxy once his P-1 visa is granted, positioning him to contribute to the club’s campaign in the upcoming MLS season.
