{"id":559020,"date":"2026-07-25T14:32:08","date_gmt":"2026-07-25T14:32:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/559020\/"},"modified":"2026-07-25T14:32:08","modified_gmt":"2026-07-25T14:32:08","slug":"daizen-maeda-ipswich-sign-japan-forward-from-celtic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/559020\/","title":{"rendered":"Daizen Maeda: Ipswich sign Japan forward from Celtic"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ipswich Town<\/a> have signed Japan forward Daizen Maeda from Celtic on a three-year contract.<\/p>\n

The 28-year-old, who has joined the Premier League side in a reported \u00a310m deal,, external<\/a> was part of his country’s squad at the 2026 World Cup and helped them reach the last 32 before they were knocked out by Brazil.<\/p>\n

Maeda scored 79 goals in 212 appearances at Celtic, where he won five league titles, three Scottish Cups and two League cups.<\/p>\n

“I have always dreamed of playing in the Premier League and I am very happy I can realise that dream with this club,” Maeda told Ipswich’s website., external<\/a><\/p>\n

“I have loved all of the conversations with the club and they have made me feel very welcome.<\/p>\n

“My aim will always be to battle hard, score goals, and provide assists for my team – I will always run and give everything that I have.”<\/p>\n

Ipswich manager Gary O’Neil, who took over at Portman Road in the summer following the departure of Kieran McKenna, believes Maeda will be “a valuable member” of his squad.<\/p>\n

Maeda joins the Tractor Boys following their promotion back into the top flight after they finished second in the Championship under McKenna last season. <\/p>\n

“He works extremely hard and has impressive physical attributes, while also proving over a number of years playing in Scotland that he has the ability to score goals and create for his team,” said O’Neil.<\/p>\n

Ipswich have added Maeda to the arrivals of defender Issa Diop, winger Abdul Fatawu, striker Emersonn and goalkeeper Kayne van Oevelen.<\/p>\n

In addition, defender Cedric Kipre and forward Chuba Akpom signed on a permanent basis following successful loans last season.<\/p>\n

In a social media post, external<\/a> to the “Celtic family”, Maeda said “the last four and a half years at Celtic have been the most special chapter of my career and my life”.<\/p>\n

He added: “It has been an incredible honour to wear this badge, to play for this amazing club, and to share so many unforgettable moments with my teammates, the staff, and the best supporters in the world.<\/p>\n

“Thank you for standing by me through every high and low.”<\/p>\n