Born in Japan on 21st November 1997, Reo Hatate is a 28-year-old central midfielder who has become a key component in Celtic's team, known for his tenacity and creativity on the pitch. Compact in stature, Hatate stands at 5ft 7in (1.71m) tall and weighs 11st (70kg). Hatate is also an international player, having represented Japan on numerous occasions. He wears a Celtic jersey emblazoned with the number 41.
With an estimated current market value of around £10m, according to Transfermarkt, Hatate has demonstrated his worth since his arrival to the club. He joined Celtic in January 2022, transferring from Kawasaki Frontale in the J1 League in Japan for a fee in the region of £1.4m.
Prior to donning the green and white hoops, Hatate had a stint with Kawasaki Frontale, where he gradually made his mark. After making a modest debut in the 2019 season with a single first team league appearance, he found his footing and made 31 appearances in the next season, chalking up five league goals. He replicated this form in the subsequent season, scoring five times over 30 league appearances.
At Celtic, Hatate's stride has only grown stronger. In his first partial season (2021-2022), Hatate made 17 first team appearances and left a mark with four goals. He followed up with a solid 32 appearances and six goals in the 2022-2023 season. Despite fewer appearances (16) in season 2023-2024, Hatate netted thrice. The 2024-2025 season witnessed a notable performance with Hatate scoring 10 goals over 37 appearances. In the current season, 2025-2026, Hatate has already made 19 appearances and has a goal to his name.
Beyond his league duties, Hatate has featured in various tournaments. In the League Cup 2025-2026, he scored once over two starts and one appearance as a substitute. In the same season's Scottish Cup, he had a single appearance as a substitute. He had a brief stint with Japan in the World Cup Qualifiers Asia 2024-2026, starting once and having two substitute appearances. He was also vital in Celtic's European journey, participating in the 2025-2026 Champions League Qualifiers with two starts, and later in the Europa League, where he tallied three goals in five starts and two appearances as a substitute.
