Hayato Inamura
Japanese footballer (born 2002)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hayato Inamura (稲村 隼翔, Inamura Hayato; born 6 May 2002) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as left-back or centre-back for J1 League club FC Tokyo on loan from Scottish Premiership club Celtic.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 6 May 2002 | ||
| Place of birth | Tokyo, Japan[1] | ||
| Height | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | |||
| Team information | |||
Current team |
FC Tokyo (on loan from Celtic) | ||
| Number | 17 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2014 | Gekkouhara SC | ||
| 2015–2017 | FC Tokyo Fukagawa | ||
| 2018–2020 | Maebashi Ikuei High School | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2021–2024 | Toyo University | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2024–2025 | Albirex Niigata | 28 | (1) |
| 2025– | Celtic | 1 | (0) |
| 2026– | → FC Tokyo (loan) | 4 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Career
Early career
Born in Japan's capital, Tokyo, Inamura played there for Gekkouhara SC and the U-15 of FC Tokyo, at their Fukagawa unit.[2] After studying at the Maebashi Ikuei High School in Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, Inamura enrolled at the Toyo University in 2021.[2]
Albirex Niigata
In his third year of university, he was offered a contract with J1 League club Albirex Niigata, beginning in the 2025 season.[3] However, due to his potential, he joined the team in 2024 as a designated special player.[2] He made his debut on 17 April 2024 in the J.League Cup against Iwaki FC, and went on to establish himself in the first team, while also featuring for Toyo University in the Kantō University Soccer League.[4] In his first season he helped the club reach the J.League Cup final, and played the entire game as Albirex Niigata lost 8–7 on penalties after a 3–3 draw in normal time to Nagoya Grampus.[5] In December 2024, he helped Toyo University to the 2024 All Japan University Football Championship title, their first time winning the championship.[6]
Celtic
Inamura left Albirex Niigata on 29 June 2025, in order to facilitate a move to an unnamed foreign club.[7] On 4 July 2025, Inamura signed for Scottish Premiership club Celtic on a four-year deal.[8][9] He made his debut on 23 August against Livingston, but has not made another appearance since.[10]
During the January transfer window, he was loaned back to Japan with J1 League side FC Tokyo for the remainder of the season.[11][12]
Style of play
Initially a right winger who also played as a defensive midfielder, Inamura was converted to centre-back in his second year of high school by coach Kosuke Yamada, who told him to model his game on centre-back Ryotaro Tsunoda.[3]
Career statistics
- As of 1 March 2026[13]
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Albirex Niigata | 2024 | J1 League | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | — | 19 | 0 | |
| 2025 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 17 | 1 | |||
| Total | 28 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | — | 36 | 1 | |||
| Celtic | 2025–26 | Scottish Premiership | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Career total | 29 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 1 | ||
- Includes Emperor's Cup and Scottish Cup
- Includes J.League Cup and Scottish League Cup