GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MAY 10: Celtic's Daizen Maeda celebrates after scoring to make it 3-1 during a William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park, on May 10, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
At lunchtime on Saturday, with a few social media messages the departure of Daizen Maeda from Celtic was confirmed.
Ipswich produced a fantastic video clip to welcome their first Japanese signing.
It seems that their fans don’t quite realise what they are getting.
The contempt for the Pub League up north is widespread. In Maeda they are getting an elite athlete, gymnast and footballer all in one.
Maeda made a scoring debut against Hibs in January 2022 but it will be his contributions in the Glasgow Derby that he will be remembered for.
James Tavernier and Jack Butland left Glasgow as broken men with Maeda their tormentor in chief.
Captain Disappointed picked up two winners medals while Maeda was about, Super Jack just one.
Maeda won the SPFL Premiership in his first half season with Celtic.
HISTORY MAKER DAIZEN MAEDA
It was the treble in his first full season followed by three doubles. He leaves behind Scotland’s most successful club, fittingly he scored the winning penalty in the 2024 League Cup Final that took Celtic beyond the joint tally of both Ibrox clubs.
Of course only an idiot would compare one Cup Winners Cup with a European Cup.
All great goals.
And now for my favorite assist by Maeda – also involved a bit of running while others stood still. pic.twitter.com/S1qKFYp09y
— JBNYSports (@JBNYSports) July 25, 2026
Maeda started his scoring run in the Derby at Ibrox on 2 January 2023.
He didn’t waste any time with first footing. After five minutes he brushed aside Connor Goldson and Tavernier then tucked his shot beyond Allan McGregor.
Kyogo Furuhashi scored a late equaliser. He dominated the Derby and destroyed Micky Beale during 2023 but Maeda delivered more long lasting damage.
Seven of his 79 Celtic goals came in the Derby match. Not including the decisive penalty in the 2024 League Cup Final.
Each and every one of his goals has a special Daizen Dynamic to it.
He signed off in brilliant style with a double in May of this year. The first a great instinctive strikers front post run, the second, an iconic overhead kick that has drawn comparisons to Henrik Larsson’s much remember Klos chip in 2000.
Maeda leaves behind a fantastic catalogue of memories. Fans on both sides of Glasgow won’t ever forget his contribution.
An incredible talent. All the best at Ipswich Daizen.
Hear! Hear! And a special Mhan! I’m gutted but full of gratitiude too.
Good luck and best wishes Daizen !