---
title: "Celtic: Hoops considering Ko Itakura swoop"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-hoops-considering-ko-itakura-swoop/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Sean Clifford"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2021-06-29T10:05:59Z"
modified: "2021-06-29T10:05:59Z"
---

# Celtic: Hoops considering Ko Itakura swoop

**Celtic are considering a move for Manchester City centre-back Ko Itakura as their summer recruitment drive intensifies \[[Daily Record](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/ko-itakura-considered-celtic-transfer-24416348)\].**

### The Lowdown: Celtic get set for 2021/22

Moving towards 2021-22, new manager Ange Postecoglou will be desperate to acquire the quality of player necessary to put the Hoops back on a stable footing, domestically and in Europe.

Thus far, Celtic have completed two transfer signings this summer in the form of former Scunthorpe United striker [Joey Dawson](https://www.celticfc.com/news/2021/june/Celtic-sign-highly-rated-young-striker-Joey-Dawson/) and ex-Sheffield Wednesday teenager [Liam Shaw](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/6694613/celtic-liam-shaw-heartbroken-sheffield-wednesday-fans/).

However, the Bhoys now could be poised to complete their first senior signing under Postecoglou following recent reports.

\[freshpress-poll id=”363659″\]

### The Latest: Celts considering move for Itakura

Celtic are said to be considering a move for Itakura, who spent 2020/21 on loan at Eredivisie side FC Groningen \[[Daily Record](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/ko-itakura-considered-celtic-transfer-24416348)\]. He is said to be high up on a list of targets on which the Hoops recruitment team is currently working.

Postecoglou possesses a familiarity with the Japan international due to his own time spent in the country with Yokohama F Marinos and their connections with the City Football Group \[[Daily Record](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/ko-itakura-considered-celtic-transfer-24416348)\].

\[freshpress-quiz id=”359377″\]

### The Verdict: Itakura would be a great addition

Standing at 1.86m (6 foot 1), Itakura would make an excellent addition to the Celtic roster for next season. In 2020/21, he was ever present during his loan spell in the Netherlands, making 36 appearances and registering two goal contributions, with one goal and one assist \[[Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ko-itakura/leistungsdaten/spieler/355816)\].

Perhaps most excitingly for Celtic supporters is his range of qualities as a footballer. Primarily a defender, the Yokohama native has a keen eye for bringing the ball out of defence and can also [operate as a holding midfielder](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/ko-itakura-considered-celtic-transfer-24416348).

Demonstrating his defensive prowess, he made a commendable [4.2 clearances](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/369525/Show/Ko-Itakura) per game last season, the second-best total in the FC Groningen squad \[[WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/758/Show/Netherlands-FC-Groningen)\].

With Postecoglou needing players to come in and make an immediate impact in 2021/22, Itakura is most certainly a signing that Celtic should be looking to pursue heavily.

**In other news, this [Celtic loanee](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/scottish-premier/celtic/celtic-kv-mechelen-hope-to-sign-marian-shved-again/) is linked with a further stint away from Parkhead.**