Daizen Maeda has most likely played his last game for the club, and he went out in the way that was fully deserving of his Celtic career, scoring and being fully committed in an outstanding display in the Scottish Cup Final, then lifting the famous old trophy for his efforts…
Signed by Ange Postecoglou from Yokohama F. Marinos in 2021, for a fee believed to be £1.2 million, the Japanese international has more than made his mark at the club and will leave as a a true Celtic favourite.
Despite his occasional tenancy to frustrate supporters, and his visible lull in form earlier in the campaign, Daizen stood up when it mattered most, as we seen in the last six weeks, and for that he deserves his status as a Celtic Icon up their alongside Shunsuke Nakamura as our greatest overseas stars.
After 212 appearances, 79 goals, 10 major honours, Daizen’s done and seen it all. Treble winner, Double winner, cup final winning goals, league title clinching goals, European goals, he’s got all the t-shirts, something that made him a popular figure amongst the entire Celtic support.
It isn’t just his goals that made him such a popular figure, it was overall attitude and his non stop effort for the side, with his never say day attitude and his terrific energy levels making him very much a player that opponents hated coming up against.
Daizen Maeda is a one-off, name any other player in World football that has his energy or his determination to press. He is a marvel and he’s going to fully deserve his big move before he and his family return home to Japan in four or five years from now.
Despite Daizen being out of contract next year, the club will certainly receive a decent fee for his services, and make a decent profit on their investment, but we will find it ever so hard to replace Daizen, that’s for sure. In fact that’s impossible, There is only one MAEDA!
I like the rest of the supporters are still hoping he will decide to stick around, but if we are being honest with ourselves, it’s not going to happen, and yesterday was his farewell in a Celtic shirt. Not one of us will grudge him his move and we’ll cheer him on wherever he goes next.
Arigato Daizen, you leave with our love and our best wishes, thanks for the memories and don’t be as stranger to Paradise. MAEDA!
Thank you Daizen. And all the very best for you and your lovely family.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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1 Comment
Daizen has achieved legend status with the celtic support,for not only his play but his attitude and energy.Dont be a stranger mate.Come back and see us when your retired with a few quid and time on your hands to do so.