On-loan Manchester City defender Ko Itakura has said he wants to remain with Schalke 04 despite interest from Celtic last summer.
Speaking to Sport Bild, the Japanese international revealed that he is happy with the second-tier German side, and that he is hopeful that he can join Schalke on a long-term basis beyond this season.
Itakura joined Schalke on loan last summer despite strong links to Celtic, with Ange Postecoglou a huge fan of Japanese talent following his time spent managing in the J-League.
However, Celtic missed out on Itakura’s signature, with Itakura instead signing for Schalke, with Sport Bild reporting earlier last year that the German giants can sign the centre-back for €4.5m (£3.7m) in the summer if they are promoted back to the Bundesliga.
Whilst a return to the top-flight remains possible for Schalke, Itakura sounded confident that he will be with the club come to the start of next season, with the 25-year-old enjoying life in the second-tier of Germany.
Itakura said when asked about how he feels about playing for Schalke and his future: “I feel good here and want to play for Schalke in the long term. Hopefully, we can do an interview in German at some point, maybe in ten years.”
Itakura looks set for Schalke stay despite uncertain promotion push
Whilst Schalke sit just two points off top spot in the 2. Bundesliga, a staggering six clubs all have a shout of claiming the two automatic promotion spots, yet despite this, Itakura looks set to remain with the club.
Indeed, the defender sounds happy to be playing regular football. And whilst a move to Celtic to join Postecoglou’s Japanese revolution would be exciting for Hoops supporters, it sounds extremely unlikely barring some disaster from Itakura’s side Schalke.
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