Nobody Moves Like Maeda – “Him and Kyogo would be lethal”

“Nobody Moves Like Maeda”…and when you look at this you’ll get a good idea why Ange Postecoglou is apparently ready to sign his former striker from his old club Yokohama F. Marinos.

Daizen Maeda is the 24 year old striker Celtic look like signing in January. He has scored 18 goals this season and has won two caps for Japan.

“Him and Kyogo would be lethal,” Lennon Mooney reckons and few would argue with this assessment.

The Times broke the news this morning that Celtic are closing in on a January transfer deal to bring Maeda to Glasgow. “Celtic are confident of adding a second Japanese star, Daizen Maeda, in the January transfer window to join Kyogo Furuhashi. Forward Maeda has enjoyed a brilliant season with Yokohama F Marinos, the club Postecoglou left in June to come to Celtic,” Robert Smith reported.

Japan Times Sports journalist Dan Orlowitz told Celts Are Here earlier today: “If you asked all of us who follow the J.League who Ange’s shopping list would include – and a lot of people did – Maeda would have been in everyone’s top 3 along with Furuhashi.

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN – JULY 28: Daizen Maeda #9 of Team Japan celebrates with Kou Itakura #4 and teammates after scoring their side’s fourth goal during the Men’s Group A match between France and Japan on day five of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at International Stadium Yokohama on July 28, 2021 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

“He’s a stone cold killer, certainly fits the hard man Glaswegian aesthetic of being 24 but looking 40. Obviously his first stint in Europe didn’t quite work out (On loan to Maritimo) but he’s another “not if but when” player. Not at all surprised Ange would go for him, he’ll do great.

“I can see a scenario in which Ange agreed not to poach him until the winter. That’s me hypothesizing but it’s not an unreasonable agreement, especially if they [Celtic] couldn’t have gotten the funds together”. Asked if Daizen Maeda and Kyogo could play together in the same team, the Japan Times Sports Journalist said: “Oh absolutely, Ange will get them in sync”.

AL WAKRAH, QATAR – NOVEMBER 25: Daizen Maeda of Yokohama F.Marinos in action during the AFC Champions League Group H match between Shanghai SIPG and Yokohama F.Marinos at the Al Janoub Stadium on November 25, 2020 in Al Wakrah, Qatar. (Photo by Mohamed Farag/Getty Images)

It’s going to be very interesting hearing what Ange Postecoglou has to say at his media conference today ahead of tomorrow’s Scottish Premiership clash with St Johnstone at Celtic Park, about this morning’s transfer story linking Celtic with the imminent signing of his former player at Yokohama F. Marinos, Daizen Maeda.


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About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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