DAIZEN MAEDA has his eyes on instant title success after joining Celtic from Yokohama F. Marinos.
The 24-year-old international striker was one of three signings from the J-League on Friday along with left-sided utility player Reo Hatate and midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi.
It’s the second time in 11 months Ange Postecoglou has swooped for the pacy frontman and the new Bhoy is eager to link up again with his former Yokohama gaffer and playing alongside Kyogo Furuhashi, who has hit the ground running since his £4.6million arrival from Vissel Kobe in late July and has already claimed 16 goals.
SCREEN GEM…new Bhoy Daizen Maeda talks to Celtic TV.
Maeda, speaking to Celtic TV, said: “I know the manager from before, so I’m really looking forward to it. He’s always playing attacking football, so I’m looking forward to playing that style of football again with him.
“My strength is my speed to attack opponents and try to get as many goals as possible.
“All the Japanese players will try to play together and to be successful with Celtic, so we will work hard to try and get the title this season.
“Because of how well Kyogo Furuhashi is doing – and also in the past when Shunsuke Nakamura played for Celtic – there is a lot of interest in Japan and I hope there will be more Celtic supporters in Japan now.
GETTING SHIRTY…Daizen Maeda proudly holds his No,38 top.
“Kyogo has been playing really well and I think I’ll have to do even better to be successful, so I will try my best.
“When I met him with the international team, I asked him about Celtic and he was telling me lots of good things about it, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
Initially, Maeda has arrived on loan, but will the deal will become permanent in the summer with a compulsory purchase clause included in the contract. He will cost around £1.7million.
