Daizen Maeda has said his goodbyes at Celtic Park, with the Japanese winger completing a £10 million switch to Ipswich Town as he chases his dream of playing in the Premier League.
The move brings the curtain down on what has been a hugely popular spell in Glasgow for the 27-year-old, who became a firm fan favourite since joining the club. His tireless running, relentless pressing and knack for big goals made him one of the most exciting attackers in Scottish football during his time at the club.
Maeda had made no secret of his ambitions to test himself in England, and Ipswich Town have moved quickly to make that happen. The Suffolk club, who earned promotion to the top flight, are building their squad with serious intent and see the Japanese international as a key part of their plans.
For Celtic, the fee represents solid business. While losing a player of Maeda’s quality is never easy, bringing in £10 million for an attacker gives Brendan Rodgers and the board real ammunition to reinvest in the squad ahead of another tilt at Champions League qualification and domestic dominance.
Maeda arrived at Celtic from Yokohama F. Marinos and wasted absolutely no time making an impression. He threw himself into the physical demands of Scottish football with enthusiasm, and supporters quickly warmed to his never-say-die attitude. He was the kind of player who would chase lost causes until the final whistle, and that work rate earned him enormous respect at the club.
His time in Glasgow also saw him become a key figure for the Japan national team, using his consistent performances in Celtic colours to cement his place on the international stage.
Ipswich, managed by Kieran McKenna, have been one of the more exciting stories in English football over the past couple of seasons. Their rise through the divisions has been sharp and well-organised, and McKenna has shown a real eye for bringing in players who fit his system. Maeda’s energy and directness look like a perfect match for what Ipswich are trying to build.
The Premier League will be a significant step up in terms of intensity and profile, but those who have watched Maeda week in, week out at Celtic will tell you he has the mentality to handle it. He is not a player who shrinks from a challenge.
Celtic supporters will no doubt give him a warm send-off in their thoughts, even if his departure leaves a gap that will need filling. Finding a player who combines that level of work rate with genuine attacking threat is not straightforward, and Rodgers will know that replacing Maeda like for like is a tough ask.
The transfer window is still in full swing, and Celtic are expected to be active in the market. The Maeda money gives them options, and supporters will be hoping the club moves quickly to bring in reinforcements that keep them competitive on all fronts.
For Maeda himself, this is the move he has been working towards. A shot at the Premier League with a club full of momentum and ambition. He will be determined to prove he belongs at that level, and if his Celtic career is anything to go by, he will give absolutely everything to make it work.