Reo Hatate Joins Burnley While Rangers Send Connor Barron to Middlesbrough in Late Transfer Shake-Up

Burnley have completed the permanent signing of Japanese midfielder Reo Hatate from Celtic, while Rangers midfielder Connor Barron has joined Middlesbrough on a season-long loan in a late double move involving Scottish Premiership clubs.

Hatate has signed a three-year contract at Turf Moor for an undisclosed fee, ending his four-and-a-half-year spell in Scotland. Barron completed his move to Teesside shortly before the 11pm transfer deadline after falling down the pecking order at Rangers under new manager Derek McInnes.

The two midfielders leave their respective clubs in contrasting circumstances. Hatate departs Celtic after helping the club win five Scottish Premiership titles, two Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups, while Barron moves to Middlesbrough after struggling to secure regular first-team football at Ibrox this season.

Hatate Completes Burnley Switch

Hatate joined Celtic from Kawasaki Frontale in January 2022 and made 191 appearances for the Glasgow club, scoring 33 goals. He won five Scottish Premiership titles, two Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups, while also being named in the Scottish Premiership Team of the Year twice.

The 28-year-old Japan international has earned 11 senior caps and will now play in England for the first time after Burnley confirmed his permanent transfer on Tuesday. He has signed a three-year deal.

Hatate described the move as a 'great' step and said he hoped to bring his experience and knowledge to the Burnley dressing room. He joins Nicky Hayen's squad as Burnley strengthen their midfield options.

His departure comes as Celtic continue to reshape their squad after signing midfielder Oliver Sørensen from Parma, with further additions still possible before the Scottish transfer window closes.

Barron Completes Late Middlesbrough Loan

Middlesbrough confirmed Barron's season-long loan from Rangers late on Tuesday, with the 24-year-old brought in to strengthen Kim Hellberg's midfield options.

Barron joined Rangers from Aberdeen after making more than 50 appearances for the club and went on to make 83 appearances across two seasons. However, his first-team opportunities became more limited this campaign, with the midfielder making two substitute appearances during Rangers' Conference League qualifying matches.

Reports from Middlesbrough said Barron had been told he could leave after falling down the pecking order under Russell Martin's successor, Derek McInnes.

The midfielder had reportedly rejected a temporary move to German second-tier side Hannover earlier on deadline day because he wanted to remain at Rangers and compete for his place. With his opportunities still limited, he ultimately accepted Middlesbrough's offer shortly before the window closed.

Former Rangers and Middlesbrough striker Kris Boyd had also questioned Barron's limited involvement, arguing that he was capable of starting ahead of some of the players Rangers signed during the summer.

Contrasting Moves On Deadline Day

The two transfers give Burnley and Middlesbrough additional midfield options while allowing Celtic and Rangers to reshape their squads in different ways.

For Hatate, the move to Burnley marks a new stage after more than four years of success in Scotland and provides his first experience of English football. For Barron, the season-long loan offers the chance to compete for regular first-team football after struggling to establish himself under Rangers' new manager.

Both deals were completed on the final night of the summer transfer window, with Hatate's permanent move and Barron's late loan bringing two significant midfield departures from Scottish football to a close.