Ipswich Town Completes Transfer Agreement for Celtic Forward Daizen Maeda

Ipswich Town have secured an agreement to sign Celtic attacker Daizen Maeda in a transfer valued at £10 million, with the newly-promoted Premier League side paying an initial £8 million fee alongside £2 million in performance-based add-ons. The 28-year-old Japanese forward will join the squad following their pre-season training camp in La Manga, Spain.

Player Background and Celtic Career

Maeda has been a key player for Celtic since joining in 2022, establishing himself as a versatile attacking threat across the forward line, though he primarily operates from the left wing. During his tenure at the Scottish club, the Japanese international won five Scottish Premiership titles, three Scottish Cups, and two Scottish League Cups. His international record includes 30 senior caps for Japan, with notable appearances in three of the nation's four 2026 World Cup qualification matches, during which he scored against Sweden.

Before his move to Celtic, Maeda spent time with J1 League side Yokohama F. Marinos and had a loan spell at Portuguese club Maritimo, giving him experience across multiple football cultures and playing systems.

Ipswich's Summer Activity

The Maeda acquisition forms part of a substantial summer recruitment drive by Ipswich Town as the club prepares for life back in the Premier League. The deal is expected to be announced alongside the £20 million signing of Leicester City winger Abdul Fatawu, while the club is also progressing in its pursuit of defender Issa Diop from West Ham, with the initial stage of his medical examination already completed. These signings represent a significant investment in bolstering the squad's depth and quality across multiple positions.

Celtic's Replacement Strategy

Celtic have begun exploring potential replacements for Maeda, with Egyptian winger Haissem Hassan emerging as a primary target. The 24-year-old caught attention during impressive performances at the World Cup and currently plays for La Liga 2 club Real Oviedo. The Scottish champions are examining the conditions required to facilitate a move, with Real Oviedo's management appearing open to discussions as the Spanish club focuses on developing its youth talent pipeline.