Key Points
- Permanent Transfer: Birmingham City have officially sold 31-year-old Japan international forward Kyogo Furuhashi to Major League Soccer (MLS) side LA Galaxy for an undisclosed fee, subject to visa clearance.
- Contract Details: Furuhashi has put pen to paper on a long-term contract running through the end of the 2030-31 MLS season and will occupy an international roster slot.
- Stint at St. Andrew’s: The forward joined Birmingham City from French Ligue 1 club Stade Rennais in July 2025 on a three-year deal. During the 2025–26 campaign, he made 31 appearances across all competitions and scored three goals, helping Chris Davies’ side finish 10th in the EFL Championship.
- Celtic Glory Years: Prior to his time in England and France, Furuhashi enjoyed a stellar tenure with Scottish giants Celtic between 2021 and 2025, netting 85 goals and 19 assists in 165 appearances, winning eight domestic trophies, and claiming the Scottish Premiership Player of the Year and Golden Boot awards in the 2022–23 treble-winning season.
- International Career: Furuhashi has earned 23 caps for the Japan National Team since making his senior debut in 2019, though a difficult spell in England saw him miss out on selection for the 2026 World Cup squad.
Birmingham (Birmingham Express) July 22, 2026 — Japanese forward Kyogo Furuhashi has officially brought his challenging spell in English football to a close, completing a permanent transfer from EFL Championship club Birmingham City to Major League Soccer outfit LA Galaxy for an undisclosed fee. The 31-year-old attacker departs St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park after a single season with the Blues, signing a contract in Southern California that binds him to the American club through the conclusion of the 2030–31 MLS season, pending the receipt of his P-1 visa.
The move marks a fresh chapter for the veteran striker, who struggled to replicate his historically prolific scoring form after arriving in the West Midlands from French Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais. During the 2025–26 Championship campaign, Furuhashi made 31 total appearances under manager Chris Davies, finding the back of the net three times as Birmingham secured a 10th-place finish in England’s second tier.
Why Did LA Galaxy Move for Kyogo Furuhashi?
The acquisition comes at a crucial juncture for the Major League Soccer side, who are looking to spark an offensive resurgence following a difficult run of form, which recently included a humbling 3-0 defeat in the ‘El Trafico’ derby against crosstown rivals LAFC.
As reported by ChosunBiz, the signing of Furuhashi was completed swiftly as a midseason gamble to reinforce the team’s frontline and climb up the Western Conference standings, where the Galaxy currently sit in ninth place with 20 points from 16 matches.
Detailing the club’s ambition in an official statement released by LA Galaxy Communications, Will Kuntz, General Manager of the LA Galaxy, stated:
“We’re excited to welcome Kyogo to the LA Galaxy and to Los Angeles. He brings a wealth of experience having played matches with Japanese National Team, in the UEFA Champions League, and in some of the best domestic leagues in Europe. We’re thrilled to add a player of his caliber, goal scoring ability, and diverse experience to our group and look forward to the impact he will make on and off the field.”
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What Led to Furuhashi’s Departure from Birmingham City?
Furuhashi’s high-profile switch to Birmingham City last summer carried heavy expectations following a lucrative reported £10 million investment. However, as outlined by Goal journalist, the Japanese international found it difficult to adapt to the physical demands and pace of the EFL Championship, managing just one goal in 28 league appearances alongside single strikes in domestic cup competitions.
Writing for Goal, the publication noted that the forward “struggled to find his form in the Championship following his £10 million ($13m) move, which ultimately led to him missing the 2026 World Cup” squad under manager Hajime Moriyasu.
Confirming the formal exit, a brief club statement from Birmingham City read:
“Birmingham City can confirm that Kyogo Furuhashi has completed a permanent transfer to LA Galaxy for an undisclosed fee, subject to clearance. The forward departs St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park after joining Blues from French side Rennes in July 2025.”
How Successful Was His Time at Celtic?
Long before his struggles in English football, Furuhashi cemented his reputation as one of the most feared and dynamic modern forwards in Scottish football history. Brought to Europe initially from Japanese club Vissel Kobe by then-Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou, the forward terrorised defences across the Scottish Premiership.
According to comprehensive statistical archives provided by Kyodo News and The Japan Times, Furuhashi amassed an incredible 85 goals and 19 assists across 165 appearances in all competitions for the Glasgow giants between 2021 and 2025. During his landmark 2022–23 campaign, he bagged 34 total goals—including 27 in the league—which swept Celtic to a domestic treble and earned him both the Scottish Premiership Player of the Year and Golden Boot accolades.
Furthermore, his performances extended onto the elite European stage, recording key goal contributions in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League against heavyweights such as Atlético Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lazio, and RB Leipzig. In total, his four-year tenure in Scotland yielded eight domestic trophies, including four Scottish Premiership titles.
What Are His Prospects in Major League Soccer?
Looking forward, Furuhashi arrives in Major League Soccer aiming to revive his career alongside familiar faces. As highlighted by Kyodo News, the move unites him with fellow Japanese countrymen Maya Yoshida and Miki Yamane within the LA Galaxy setup.
With 23 senior international caps for Japan under his belt since his 2019 debut, the 31-year-old retains ambitions of rediscovering the sharp movement, clinical finishing, and high work-rate that initially made him a fan favourite in Glasgow.
As the Galaxy prepare for the remainder of their regular-season campaign under the weight of heightened supporter expectations following their recent derby setback, club officials remain confident that Furuhashi’s extensive international pedigree and proven scoring pedigree will provide the necessary spark for their postseason push.
