Reo Hatate, born in Suzuka, Mie, Japan, on 21 November 1997 (age 28), is a compact 5ft 7in (1.71m) midfielder who wears number 41 for Celtic. He arrived in January 2022 from Kawasaki Frontale for around £1.5m, one of the Japanese signings who quickly became more than a footnote in a changing Celtic side.
His career is now shaped overwhelmingly by Celtic. Primarily used in centre midfield, Hatate has made 132 league appearances across six seasons, scoring 25 league goals. At his best he gives Celtic speed of thought in the middle of the pitch, with enough edge in his game to stop the neatness becoming decorative.
The 2024–25 season was his most productive in the league, with 10 goals in 37 appearances. He has also been part of a highly successful domestic run, winning four Premiership titles, two League Cups and two Scottish Cups with Celtic. That is a substantial return, and not one built from the margins.
Hatate remained a regular first-team presence in 2025–26, making 30 league appearances and scoring twice, alongside three Scottish Cup appearances and nine in the Europa League, where he added three goals. Across all competitions that season, he made 42 appearances and scored five times. His current market value is around £8.5m, according to Transfermarkt.
From Kawasaki Frontale to Celtic, Hatate’s career has settled into a clear shape: a Japanese international midfielder whose main work has been done in Glasgow, and who remains relevant to the current side rather than merely part of its recent history.
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