Ipswich close in on £10m Celtic striker Maeda

Ipswich Town are closing in on the signing of Celtic forward Daizen Maeda for a fee of £10m.

The Tractor Boys have reached an agreement with Celtic to sign Maeda for an initial £8m, with a further £2m dependent in add-ons.

Sky Sports are reporting that Celtic have reluctantly accepted Maeda’s desire for an exit with the Japan international having less than a year on his contract. The Scottish champions are already pursuing replacements for he 29-year-old.

Maeda signed for Celtic from Yokohama F. Marinos in January 2022 and has enjoyed a decorated period at Parkhead.

The versatile forward has scored 79 goals in 212 games, winning five Scottish Premiership titles. He was named the Scottish Premiership’s Player of the Season in 2024/25 after scoring 33 goals in all competitions, and has netted five times in 30 caps for Japan.

Maeda is set to become Ipswich’s second signing this week, following the £20m capture of Abdul Fatawu from Leicester City. The 22-year-old has signed a long-term deal and said he’s excited to return to the Premier League.

“I am proud to have signed for Ipswich Town,” he said.

“The ambition the club has is very exciting and I’m looking forward to being a part of that as we prepare for the Premier League season. After speaking to the manager (Gary O’Neil), I know what the expectation is and I’m looking forward to meeting my teammates and starting work.

“I have played against Ipswich a few times during my time in England and I know how passionate the supporters are for the club, so I’m excited to play for them and show them what I can do.”

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