Celtic transfer mishap brings 'sincere apologies' from red-faced outfit

Major League Soccer has issued an apology to Celtic and Kyogo Furuhashi after the governing body of football in the United States erroneously claimed the Japanese forward had signed for Atlanta United.

The MLS’ official website posted a story on Wednesday night reporting that Atlanta - managed by former Celtic boss Ronny Deila - had “acquired” Furuhashi from Celtic, only for it to be quickly taken down. The Georgia-based side themselves announced around the same time they had signed former Japan youth international Cayman Togashi from Sagan Tosu in the J-League.

Atlanta had been linked with a potential move for Furuhashi and reports have since claimed they are still weighing up a move for the 29-year-old, whose Celtic contract runs to 2027.

In a statement issued to Press Association, the MLS said: “Major League Soccer’s website mistakenly posted an article that named the wrong player as having signed with an MLS club. The article was immediately removed and corrected. MLS extends its sincere apologies to the impacted parties.”

Kyogo Furuhashi remains a Celtic player. | Getty Images

One exit has been completed on Thursday, however, from Celtic after defender Stephen Welsh earlier completed his loan move to KV Mechelen following a lengthy pursuit by the Belgian Pro League club. The 24-year-old was allowed to move on for the remainder of the season after making just two appearances this term, taking his Celtic total to 66.

Welsh, whose Celtic contract runs to 2027, said on his new club’s website: “I want to fight my way into the team as soon as possible. Mechelen have shown for some time that they would like to have me here. In the coming months I want to fight together with the team and the supporters and achieve great results.”

Mechelen sporting director Tim Matthys said: “Finally he is with us. We had already made a number of attempts to bring Stephen here. What did not work then has now been completed. Stephen is the reinforcement we needed in the short term. He will give our defensive compartment a solid injection of quality.”

Other players could be on the move from Celtic. Midfielder Odin Thiago Holm has linked with a loan move to Los Angeles FC and reports in Spain claim that Rayo Vallecano are close to a deal for winger Luis Palma.