Reo Hatate, born on the 21st of November 1997 in Japan, is a renowned central midfielder currently showcasing his talents at Celtic Football Club. With a stature standing 5ft 7in (1.71m) and a weight of 11st (70kg), Hatate exudes an impressive physical presence on the pitch, donning the number 41 jersey. He's also done his nation proud by representing the Japan national football team.
As of now, Hatate’s market value is placed at approximately £11m, as stated by Transfermarkt.
Before making his mark in the Scottish Premiership, Hatate kick-started his professional career in his home country. In August 2018, he joined the ranks of Kawasaki Frontale, a team competing in the J1 League in Japan. His debut season in 2019 saw him mostly waiting in the wings, marked by a sole appearance for the first team in league matches. The following year, his perseverance paid off as he secured a spot in the first team, appearing 31 times and netting five goals. Another successful season followed in 2021, mirroring his previous achievements with 30 appearances and five goals.
A pivotal turning point in Hatate's career came in January 2022 when he arrived on the shores of Scotland. Hatate was transferred to Celtic from Kawasaki Frontale for a fee of around £1.4m. His debut season with the Scottish giants (2021-2022) resulted in 17 appearances and four goals, hinting at a promising future at the club.
The succeeding years saw Hatate flourish under the banner of Celtic. The records for the 2022-2023 season showed 32 appearances and six goals, while the 2023-2024 season witnessed him scoring three times in 16 appearances. The 2024-2025 season marked his best tenure with the club thus far, highlighted by 37 appearances and ten goals. As for the current 2025-2026 season, Hatate has made 13 appearances, scoring once.
In addition to his league exploits, Hatate has proven himself versatile, performing in multiple cups and competitions. He partook in the 2023-2024 Champions League with Celtic, securing three starts. In the 2025-2026 League Cup, he started once and made another appearance as a substitute. He also served his country in the 2024-2026 World Cup Qualifiers Asia, with a start and two appearances as a substitute. Furthermore, in the 2025-2026 season, Hatate featured in the Champions League Qualifiers for Celtic with two starts and the Europa League, where he scored twice in four starts and two substitutes appearances.
