Sony sign up Daizen Maeda for ‘blistering pace’ commercial

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The Celtic Star

·11. Februar 2026

Sony sign up Daizen Maeda for ‘blistering pace’ commercial

Celtic forward Daizen Maeda has secured a high-profile endorsement deal in Japan after being selected as the face of a major Sony advertising campaign…

Reo Hatate of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammate Daizen Maeda during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Feyenoord and Celtic FC at De Kuip on November 27, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

The Celtic forward will be one of Japan’s influential players at this summer’s World Cup, with his national team widely tipped as potential outsiders in the tournament.

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His growing profile has seen Sony recruit him to promote their NURO Hikari ultra-fast broadband service, with the company highlighting his blistering pace as a fitting symbol of their product.

Daizen Maeda of Celtic scores his team’s third goal during the Premiership match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on November 09, 2025.(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The commercial – filmed in Glasgow last November – shows Maeda bursting forward before striking a volley into the goal as part of the ‘Don’t Stop the Emotions’ campaign.

Maeda has now spoken about his hopes of carrying his club form onto the international stage as Japan target success at the World Cup.

Speaking during the advert which you can watch below, Maeda said: “I really enjoyed filming the commercial. Although I did have to take a lot of shots to get it right! I have never featured in a commercial before and it was an honour being asked to do it.”

“The advert is all about my speed – I don’t know if I am the fastest player, but I have always loved running since I was little.”

“The World Cup is coming up and our ambition and goal is for Japan to win it and inspire the people of my country.”

7th February 2026 Celtic Park, Scottish Cup Football, Celtic versus Dundee Celtic manager Martin O’Neill looks thoughtful. Photo David Young

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill rested Daizen Maeda, Arne Engels and Kasper Schmeichel at the weekend in the Scottish Cup Fifth Round extra-time win over Dundee at Celtic Park. All three are likely to return this evening as Celtic turn their attention back to the Scottish Premiership.

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Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order