Celtic receive double transfer boost ahead of January

Daizen Maeda

Maeda seems like the player who is most ready to make an immediate impact in the Celtic first-team.

He topped the J1 League scoring charts in the 2021 season, along with Leandro Damiao, despite not being an out and out striker. According to stats from Transfermarkt, he scored 23 goals in 36 league appearances.

He could also be the perfect fit for Ange Postecoglou’s style of football, having already played under him during their time together at Yokohama F. Marinos. In fact, it was the manager who had brought him to the club and it looks like he is set to repeat the trick in Glasgow.

Maeda possesses incredible pace, has the ability to finish with both his feet, has an eye for goal, is very versatile and on top of everything else, he also has prior experience of playing in Europe.

He was with Portuguese side, Maritimo, in the past. Thus, this looks like a magnificent deal on the part of Celtic, who might have pulled off another transfer masterstroke.

The loan period also gives the club a chance to see whether Maeda adjusts to the Scottish game and go from there accordingly.

Yosuke Ideguchi

Ideguchi was considered the next big thing in Japanese football not too long ago and had broken into their national team picture at a young age.

But a move to Leeds United did not go as planned. He spent unsuccessful loan spells in Germany and Spain, before ultimately returning to Japan.

This is his second chance to show that he can do it in Europe though. And like Maeda, he seems like a player who can be a good fit in Postecoglou’s style of football.

Reo Hatate

Hatate is expected to arrive at Celtic soon as well. It has been suggested that he will fly to Europe at the beginning of the year.