As Birmingham City fans toast the club’s latest signing in Japanese forward Kyogo Furuhashi, one familiar name from the past has popped up with a heartfelt message. Jordan James, now plying his trade in France, might’ve only shared 73 minutes of pitch time with Furuhashi—but that brief spell was enough to spark mutual respect.
The transfer marks yet another twist in the journey of the former Celtic hero, whose six-month spell at Rennes proved underwhelming but not without its human connections.
From Rennes Bench to St Andrew’s Frontline
Kyogo Furuhashi’s time at Rennes didn’t go quite as planned.
He arrived in Brittany with hopes high. But not even a week in, a managerial shuffle at the club put his spot in jeopardy. The new boss had different ideas, and Kyogo found himself edged out of the plans almost immediately.
In six months, he managed just six Ligue 1 appearances. That’s it—barely over an hour of total playing time.
Still, in that short stretch, he crossed paths with Jordan James, who had left Birmingham last summer after 105 appearances with the Blues. Their shared moments were few, but clearly meaningful.
The Social Media Stir and Swift Clarification
A few weeks ago, the rumour mill was buzzing. Whispers of Kyogo making the jump from Rennes to Birmingham started catching wind on fan forums and across social media.
Out of nowhere, Jordan James popped up on X (formerly Twitter) and fired off a cryptic denial.
“Just to make it clear, don’t have a clue about the Kyogo rumours, what a legend though,” he posted.
Was it misdirection? Genuinely clueless? Probably the latter, given how quickly things moved behind the scenes.
Fast forward a fortnight and the truth came out—Kyogo had signed on the dotted line, agreeing to a three-year deal with Birmingham City.
73 Minutes, One Bond
In a sport that thrives on stats, minutes played often get all the attention. But sometimes, relationships grow in the background—off the pitch, in the locker room, or over a shared meal during training camp.
James and Kyogo shared only 73 minutes in a Rennes shirt.
But when Birmingham made the announcement official, James didn’t hold back. He jumped onto Instagram, where he posted a comment on Birmingham City’s update:
“What a guy, all the best brother.”
Simple words, but they hit deep. No fanfare. Just warmth. And that says something about both players.
Kyogo’s Fresh Start After Celtic Glory
Before his Rennes chapter, Kyogo Furuhashi was tearing it up in Scotland. He was electric in a Celtic shirt, scoring goals, making runs that left defenders spinning, and earning cult hero status.
But France? France didn’t work out.
A managerial change weeks into his arrival saw him shifted out of the rotation. His minutes dried up. And despite being fit, he found himself warming the bench.
Now, he’s back in the UK—but this time, in the English Championship.
Here’s a snapshot of Kyogo’s last 18 months:
| Period | Club | Appearances | Goals | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan–June 2025 | Rennes | 6 | 0 | Managerial change halted momentum |
| 2021–Dec 2024 | Celtic | 124 | 65 | Key player, two league titles |
| Pre-2021 | Vissel Kobe | 111 | 42 | Developed under Andrés Iniesta’s eye |
It’s a solid résumé. And now, Birmingham City gets to bet on his comeback.
Blues Fans React, Remembering James
James, who left for Rennes last summer, is still fondly remembered by Blues supporters. He came through the ranks, became a dependable midfielder, and played with maturity beyond his years.
So when he popped up with his public message to Kyogo, fans felt that.
A few quick reactions from Reddit and fan forums:
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“James still looking out for the Blues, love it.”
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“Glad Kyogo’s coming in with that kind of character support behind him.”
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“Both class acts. Short stint in Rennes, but says a lot about Kyogo that James rates him so highly.”
Birmingham’s Attack Gets a Shake-Up
With Kyogo now officially in, Birmingham’s attack gets a serious injection of pace and flair. The 29-year-old thrives on movement and quick link-ups—something the club’s been missing lately.
Manager Tony Mowbray is reportedly thrilled.
Kyogo’s ability to ghost into space and his work rate off the ball are expected to pair well with Birmingham’s current setup. He may not have shined in France, but English football—especially the high-octane Championship—might suit him perfectly.
• Club insiders believe he’ll slot straight into the matchday squad for the upcoming EFL opener next weekend.
What’s Next for Jordan James?
Meanwhile, Jordan James continues his development in Ligue 1, though his own role at Rennes has grown this year. With a full preseason under his belt and growing confidence, he’s been getting consistent minutes.
And maybe, just maybe, his short reunion with Kyogo added a little spark.
