Celtic fans were given a belated Christmas present with news on Wednesday night that a deal to sign Daizen Maeda was almost over the line.Â
A range of Japanese news websites provided detail of a loan deal being completed with Dan Orlowitz interpreting the news for Celtic fans.Â
It seems that a fee being reported as between 200m yen and 2m euros has been agreed with just the paperwork and official announcements from both clubs awaited.Â
Maeda worked under Ange Postecoglou for the first half of the 2021 season at Yokohama Marinos, despite a change in management at the club he returned a very respectable 23 goals from 36 J-League appearances.Â
At the age of 24 and with a brief spell in Portugal behind him Celtic look to be getting the striker at exactly the right time in his career. With Postecoglou identifying and getting the best out of Kyogo Furuhashi there are strong grounds to believe that he can get a similar return from a player that he has already worked with.Â
With injury doubts over a number of striking options Maeda could well be thrown straight into the Celtic side that faces Hibs on January 17 with the following fortnight scheduled to include a trip to Tynecastle and hosting a Glasgow derby.Â
Big news here and if it’s coming from Dan you can be sure it’s pretty accurate.
Could be a really exciting signing!
— The Celtic Exchange Podcast ? (@CeltExchange) December 29, 2021
Great news Dan exciting news looks a great player
— Chris (@Christo20805012) December 29, 2021
This is going to be fun.
— Bix Weetabecke (@BixWeetabecke) December 29, 2021
Cheers Dan, I’m crying real tears (of happiness) ?
— Bhoy in Red ???? (@BhoyinRed) December 29, 2021
From what I’ve seen maeda is the guy that I would have chosen of the 3,he’s got pace and plenty aggression,hope we get the other 2 lads as well but he’s the one that can fit right in straight away,really excited to see him in the hoops ???
— barry collins (@bazcollins67) December 30, 2021
Hahahahaha I’m kinda enjoying this more so than the rumours itself after they’ve been spread already
— Leigh Broxham FACTS ? (@TheBroxFacts) December 30, 2021
Thanks for the updates, great to have that inside knowledge
— Willie Pettigrew ??????? ???? (@willie1962) December 29, 2021
Cheers Dan. Also you’ll be glad to be rid of us from your mentions. Unless we’re linked again with more J-League players ?
— Dylan ??????? (@DeadByDylan) December 29, 2021