Celtic strikers have been a bit of a theme in recent times.

Whether it’s those currently at Celtic right now, those out on loan or those sold/let go by the club in the summer, Shin Yamada falls into the loan category.

Celtic signed Shin Yamada from Kawasaki Frontale during the 2025 summer transfer window, but he only played 11 games for the champions of Scotland.

Celtic loanee Shin Yamada hasn’t played since September

Last season, Yamada was on-loan at Preußen Münster, who were in Germany’s second tier, but they suffered relegation.

Yamada scored three goals for them in ten matches, but he only started four of those games and was hardly used.

Plus, you need to remember, he joined Preußen Münster during the January transfer window, and they were in a world of mess, so it didn’t help his cause.

But the 26-year-old has no such excuse at Oud-Heverlee Leuven, who are hovering above the relegation zone in the Belgian Pro League.

Oud-Heverlee Leuven lost their first five matches of the league season, and their form has started to pick up of late, but they have been without Yamada’s services.

That’s because, since September, the Japan star hasn’t featured for his loan side, sitting on the bench most of the time or not even making the matchday squad.

Over the weekend, as Celtic were beaten by Falkirk, Yamada watched from the bench in Belgium as his Oud-Heverlee Leuven side beat Sint-Truidense 2-1 on the road.

During the period in which Yamada hasn’t been used, Oud-Heverlee Leuven are unbeaten in four matches, winning two and drawing the other two.