Japan’s Maeda Joins Ipswich in £10M Premier League Move, July 22

Japanese national team forward Daizen Maeda is set to join Ipswich Town after Celtic accepted the Premier League newcomer’s £10 million offer on July 21. The deal comprises an £8 million base fee plus £2 million in performance bonuses, according to Sky Sports and the Daily Mail. At 28 years old, Maeda has fulfilled his long-stated ambition to play in England’s top division after four seasons at Celtic, where he scored 44 goals in 133 league matches.

How the deal came together

Ipswich, which won promotion to the Premier League this season, made Maeda one of its top summer targets under new manager Gary O’Neill, who signed a three-year contract in June. Sky Sports reported on July 21 that the two clubs had reached a broad agreement, with only payment terms and bonus details remaining. Celtic manager Martin O’Neill indicated he would not block Maeda’s departure if a satisfactory offer arrived, respecting the player’s contributions over four years.

Maeda’s path to the Premier League

Maeda has publicly stated his desire to play in England since joining Celtic. “Since I went to Celtic, I became interested in the Premier League. I started watching a lot of Premier League games. I have a strong desire to play in the Premier League,” he said in previous remarks. The Daily Record reported that Ipswich wanted to move quickly to complete negotiations and get Maeda settled before the new season. At the final year of his Celtic contract, this summer represented his best window to secure a move.

Ipswich’s Japanese recruitment drive

Ipswich is not stopping at Maeda. The club is also pursuing free agent midfielder Hideyoshi Morita, who recently left Portuguese club Sporting after his contract expired in July. If both deals close, Ipswich would add two Japanese internationals to its squad in a single window. Morita, 31, spent four seasons at Sporting, where he made 166 official appearances and won two league titles and one Portuguese Cup.

What this means for investors and fans

Maeda’s move signals Ipswich’s ambition to compete immediately in the Premier League after promotion. The club’s spending on established international talent, combined with new management, suggests a strategy to avoid relegation in their first season back. For Celtic, the sale provides funds to reinvest in attacking depth after losing both Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi (who joined LA Galaxy in January 2025) without adequate replacement so far this window.

Final Thoughts

Maeda’s £10 million transfer to Ipswich closes a chapter at Celtic and opens a new one in the Premier League. The deal reflects both Ipswich’s determination to strengthen quickly and Maeda’s long-held dream of playing in England’s top division at age 28.

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