Ipswich Town has completed the signing of Japanese forward Daizen Maeda from Celtic. The 28-year-old leaves Celtic after an incredible four and a half years in Glasgow’s East End…
The newly promoted Tractor Boys, managed by Gary O’Neil, announced the signing of Daizen earlier today in a deal worth £8m plus £2m in add-ons.
Thank you for everything, @M_daizen_1020 💚🇯🇵
Wishing you all the very best as you begin the next chapter of your career with Ipswich Town.#CelticFC🍀 https://t.co/RwSQAmR3sX pic.twitter.com/MdfnJZzoX3
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 25, 2026
Signed by Ange Postecoglou midway through his first season, Maeda scored on his debut against Hibs. In 212 appearances, he has scored 79 goals and assisted on 38 occasions, including 4 goals in the UEFA Champions League as well as 7 goals and 5 assists against Rangers.
The numbers don’t do Daizen justice, his pressing abilities were second to none and at one point he was the top of the charts in Europe, joint with Real Madrid’s Valverde for running stats. Brendan Rodgers helped add more consistency to Daizen’s form, which led to a number of clubs taking notice. He ended the 2024/25 season with all the accolades and deservedly so.
Last season was patchy as the Japan International struggled to deal with his summer move falling apart. When Celtic needed him most, in the run in, Daizen produced an incredible run of form that led to the stunning final day win over Hearts. It was fitting that the goal to put Celtic in front came from Daizen and you saw his emotions when the goal was given.
His final goal in the Hoops came in the Scottish Cup Final against Dunfermline with a terrific lob.
A modern Celtic icon.
Thank you, Daizen.
🇯🇵 / 𝘿𝙖𝙞𝙯𝙚𝙣 𝙈𝙖𝙚𝙙𝙖 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝘾𝙚𝙡𝙩𝙞𝙘 💔
👕 212 appearances
⚽️ 79 goals
🅰️ 38 assists
🏆 10 major honoursA completely unique player that will never be seen again, an enigma.
Thank you for everything Daizen – a Celtic great 💚🤍💚 pic.twitter.com/iT4QUWhTqt
— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) July 25, 2026
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1 Comment
It was well known that Maeda would be leaving this summer.
Still believe that the fee involved, was to low imo?
And expected a higher profile club that Ipswich, to have come in for Maeda also?
But he always wanted EPL football, and rightly so, we didn’t make it to hard for Maeda to achieve his dream either imo?
No doubt that we will miss, what Maeda provided for ourselves, over these past few seasons?
But he has left us, with many memories, that will live very long for our support also?
That overhead kick against the scum, is already very high upon the list, of our greatest and most enjoyable goals within our history imo?
With his massive contributions, in winning the last 2 SPFL titles, he has written himself into our legendary books, as far as I’m concerned anyway?
Very doubtful that Tavpen has ever got a night’s sleep, or ever will again, with the nightmare of Maeda, keeping him wide awake at night?
Wishing him all the best, in his new venture, despite the sadness of him finally leaving?