Martin O’Neill on big money contract Celtic offered Daizen Maeda | OneFootball

Martin O’Neill reveals that the club offered the Celtic talisman Daizen Maeda a big contract before he left Parkhead for Ipswich Town…

23.05.2026 Celtic v Dunfermline Athletic, Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Final .  Daizen Maeda with the cup

The Irishman admitted it will be difficult to lose a player of Daizen’s magnitude, who has given so much service in the past to the Bhoys, with hard-work and graft the hallmarks of his time at Celtic.

Maeda joined the club under Ange Postecoglou back in January of 2022 from Yokahama F. Marinos, along with countrymen Reo Hatate and Yosuke Idegucci, said his goodbyes yesterday as he officially joined the newly-promoted English Premier League outfit Ipswich Town.

It is a hard one to take for the Celtic fanbase, as Daizen has given us some terrific memories throughout his four-and-a-half-years at Paradise, including some spectacular ones in Glasgow Derby matches against the latest Ibrox entity.

23.05.2026 Celtic v Dunfermline Athletic, Scottish Cup Final. Daizen Maeda banner. Photo Kenny Ramsay

From lightning-quick goals straight from the kick-off, to overhead kicks, and the decisive penalty in a cup-final shoot-out against the Rangers,  the Japanese attacker has delivered consistently in the biggest of occasions for this club, which only serves to worsen the blow.

Speaking on his talismanic striker, O’Neill said after the 2-2 friendly match draw with European giants AC Milan at Celtic Park: “Yeah, naturally I will miss him. He was in his last year of his contract. The club, before I came here, the club made him a real big offer to stay at least 16 months ago.

“And the lad refused to do it in the sense that he wanted to play in the Premier League if he could, or the Bundesliga if that’s the case. So I will obviously miss him, but I’m delighted for him at the same time.

“Genuinely delighted for him. He deserves the move. I think I said this last year, whether I was going to be here or not, he deserves the move because he’s been fantastic for the club.

“And we will definitely miss him. We will just miss his presence around about the place. And I think Ipswich will be getting somebody that I think they will grow to really like.

“And I think that’s big for him,” O’Neill continued. “So he’s 28, 29 years of age. I’m not so sure that the money has been his driving force, but he will do really well. And that’s good news. And he deserves it. He deserves it. Every single penny of it,” the gaffer stated in a forthright tone after the match against AC Milan at his post-match mainstream media conference.

I’m sure we’ll all echo the gaffer’s sentiments and wish an outstanding club servant and modern Celtic great Daizen Maeda all the very best on his new EPL adventure.

Go smash it, Daizen! We know you will…

Paul Gillespie

Daizen Maeda yesterday sent an emotional message to everyone at Celtic after our former talisman completed his £10m move to Ipswich Town.

Daizen made 212 appearances for Celtic since joining the club on 1st January 2022, scoring 79 goals including in his first game against Hibs at Celtic Park and also in his final match at Hampden in the Scottish Cup Final win over Dunfermline. He also got 38 assists for Celtic playing under Ange Postecoglou, Brendan Rodgers, Martin O’Neill twice and Wilfried Nancy for a short spell.

Daizen won the Scottish Premiership in all five seasons that he played for Celtic and in total leaves the club having won ten major honours. He goes with a great song too which hopefully the Ipswich Town fans will quickly adopt. They are going to love him!

Here’s what Daizen has posted across his social media channels including on x.

“The last four and a half years at Celtic have been the most special chapter of my career and my life.

“It has been an incredible honour to wear this badge, to play for this amazing club, and to share so many unforgettable moments with my teammates, the staff, and the best supporters in the world.

“Thank you for standing by me through every high and low. Your incredible support gave me strength every single day, and I will always be grateful.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in Glasgow who welcomed and supported my wife and children.

“Because of your kindness and generosity, my family was able to enjoy an unforgettable time here. Glasgow will always hold a very special place in our hearts and will forever be our second home.

“My son loves Celtic so much that he already says he wants to wear the Celtic shirt and play at Celtic Park one day.”

“I truly hope that dream comes true, and I hope our family will be back here again someday.

“Thank you to everyone connected with Celtic for everything.

“Hail Hail,” Daizen Maeda

Have a read at the messages posted by Celtic Supporters in response to Daizen’s farewell message. He’ll always be remembered at Celtic, for his four and a half years in general but in particular for the way he pulled Celtic across the line to win the league last season.

Daizen Maeda of Celtic celebrates after he scores our third goal via a bicycle kick during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park on May 10, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The overhead kick against the Rangers was perhaps the finest goal many of us have seen at Paradise and his winner against Hearts in the last day was simply a magical moment from a magical footballer.

Thanks for everything Daizen. Best of luck at Ipswich…

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