It always seemed a formality but until the fat lady sings no transfer deal is ever done and dusted until it is confirmed by one of the clubs.
In January Celtic signed Yosuke Ideguchi and Reo Hatate from J-League clubs but the move for Daizen Maeda was initially on loan.
All parties involved were certain that the loan would become permanent, at 10am this morning Yokohama Marinos announced that the Maeda deal had been completed:
Daizen Maeda, who belongs to Yokohama F. Marinos (loan transfer to Celtic FC), has decided to transfer to Celtic FC completely, so I will inform you with comments.
In addition, Maeda is scheduled to visit the 2022 Meiji Yasuda Life J1 League Section 15 held on May 25 (Wednesday).
Whatever the reasons for the initial loan that has now been superseded by the permanent move of the all action 24-year-old who scored eight goals following his switch to Celtic.
Although initially played as a striker it seems that a slot on the left wing is Maeda’s most productive position.
With an eye for goal and willingness to drop back to help out in defence or bring the ball forward he has brought an extra dimension to Celtic’s play with Ange Postecoglou making his former Marinos player an early target when he quit Japan a year ago.
Reacting to the development, Maeda said:
Even after I came to Scotland, everyone’s support was encouraging, and I was able to deliver good news to you in the form of a league victory.
All the thoughts I conveyed during the loan transfer, but I will continue to do so. I will continue to challenge myself. F. Marinos is one of my favorite clubs forever!
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— ??F????????? (@prompt_fmarinos) May 23, 2022