Yuki Kobayashi was born in Hyogo, Japan, on 18 July 2000 (age 26), and developed as a central defender in Japanese football before his move to Europe. His most productive league season came with Yokohama FC in 2020, when he scored two goals in 28 appearances.
He later joined Vissel Kobe, and Celtic brought him to Glasgow from there in January 2023. His time at Celtic was brief, but it came in a successful side: he collected a Premiership title in 2022/23, along with a Scottish Cup and a League Cup.
Kobayashi left Celtic in August 2024 for Portimonense. From there, his career moved through Portugal and on to Jagiellonia Bialystok, before he established himself more fully again at Vissel Kobe.
At Jagiellonia Bialystok, he has worn squad number 18 and played mainly at centre-half. In 2026/27, he has made eight appearances across all competitions, including five in the Ekstraklasa with one goal and three in Europa League qualifying. His market value is around £553,000, according to Transfermarkt.
Kobayashi’s career has taken him from Japan to Celtic, then on through Portimonense and Jagiellonia Bialystok. It is a tidy enough route for a defender still in his mid-twenties, with his Celtic spell carrying the medals, if not the long stay.
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