Hatate ends Burnley silence as Celtic move fuels a struggling Clarets campaign
Reo Hatate has broken his silence on the move that took him from Celtic to Burnley, a transfer that arrives as the Clarets endure a winless start to their Championship season. The 28‑year‑old Japanese midfielder posted a heartfelt Instagram message on 28 September, pledging to fight for the club despite their poor form, while Burnley still await their first league victory under manager Nicky Hayen.
Transfer details and early impact
Hatate was one of eleven summer signings for Burnley, arriving on deadline day for a reported £6.5 million fee after four‑and‑a‑half years at the Scottish Premiership giants. He made 191 appearances for Celtic, scoring 33 goals and providing 31 assists, and collected five league titles before the move. Since joining Burnley on 1 September, he has featured in four matches, starting two of them.
In his Instagram note, Hatate wrote, “I’m truly honoured to be part of Burnley FC, a club with such a rich and proud history. I came here to win.” He added that he will give everything in training and matches, promising to “run, fight, and attack the goal.”
Burnley’s precarious position and future prospects
Burnley remain the only side in the second tier without a win as October approaches, with their next chance to claim three points set for an away game at Watford on 10 October, after the international break ends. The club’s poor start follows a chaotic pre‑season, despite being predicted high in many early tables.
Manager Nicky Hayen, appointed just three months ago, faces mounting pressure after a Derby County draw that saw Mohammed Fuseini score a last‑minute equaliser. Owner Alan Pace has tried to calm supporters over financial worries, but fan morale is low.
Hatate’s lack of recent Japan national team call‑ups may prove advantageous, giving him extra time to adapt to Hayen’s tactics and the English game. Critics from Celtic have already voiced doubts in the comments of his post, yet Burnley fans are urged to “Give everything” and support the new midfielder.
Beyond the pitch, the article notes that journalist Benedict graduated with a 2:1 (Hons) in Multimedia Journalism at the University of Wolverhampton in September 2024 and earned a Merit in an MA Sports Journalism at Coventry University in 2025. He previously covered Rugby League and non‑league football, interning with Wolves’ Academy from 2023 to 2025. Like many aspiring writers, he logged his experiences in a thread here, showing how a sports‑focused education can lead to covering stories such as Hatate’s.