Ipswich Town have completed the signing of Daizen Maeda from Celtic, ending the Japan international's four-and-a-half-year spell at Parkhead. The move was confirmed on 25 July, with Maeda putting pen to paper on a three-year contract running to the summer of 2029. Reports in Scotland put the fee at around £8m rising to £10m with add-ons, making the 28-year-old one of the more significant outlays of Ipswich's summer as they prepare for a return to the Premier League.
Gary O'Neil's side have been searching for attacking reinforcements all summer, and Maeda was identified as a forward who could contribute goals from day one rather than needing time to adapt. O'Neil said playing in the Premier League was something Maeda had been working towards throughout his career, pointing to his physical attributes and his goalscoring record in Scotland as reasons for the move, and describing him as a player who 'works extremely hard' and has 'proved over a number of years... that he has the ability to score goals and create for his team.' Maeda becomes Ipswich's first Japanese signing and adds pace and direct running to a forward line that already includes George Hirst, Chuba Akpom and Jaden Philogene.
For Celtic, it is the end of an era. Maeda arrived from Yokohama F. Marinos in May 2022 and went on to make 212 appearances, scoring 79 goals and winning ten major trophies during his time in Glasgow. Manager Martin O'Neill said he would miss the forward, and revealed Maeda had made clear well over a year ago that he wanted to test himself in the Premier League or the Bundesliga once the opportunity arose, having turned down a new contract offer at the time. Celtic have moved quickly to address the gap, agreeing a club-record fee for Bodo/Glimt striker Kasper Hogh as they look to replace Maeda's goals and work-rate up front.
Maeda's departure comes off the back of another productive season in Scotland. He scored 14 goals in 36 Scottish Premiership appearances in 2025-26, added further goals in cup competitions, and started 32 of Celtic's 38 league games — numbers that show he was leaving as a key contributor rather than a fringe player. Across his four and a half years at the club he built a reputation as a relentless presser and a reliable finisher, qualities that helped Celtic dominate domestically for much of his stay.
At Ipswich, Maeda is likely to compete for a starting spot rather than walk straight into the side, with O'Neil having several options across the front line. But his energy and willingness to run in behind should suit a newly promoted team that will need to counter-attack effectively against stronger opposition. At 28, he arrives with experience of winning trophies and playing under pressure in a title-chasing team, both of which should help a squad adjusting to the step up to the Premier League.
The transfer is part of a busy summer of business on both sides. Ipswich have been rebuilding their squad after promotion, while Celtic's move for Hogh suggests they intend to reinvest much of the money received for Maeda straight back into the forward line. For Ipswich supporters, the signing is a statement of intent — a proven goalscorer with top-flight ambitions arriving weeks before the new season gets under way. Speaking after the move was completed, Maeda said he had 'always dreamed of playing in the Premier League' and was 'very happy' to realise that dream with Ipswich.