Daizen Maeda, Yosuke Ideguchi and Reo Hatate ALL confirmed as Celtic complete stunning triple Japanese transfer swoop
CELTIC have completed a sensational triple Japanese swoop as the Hoops announced the arrivals of Daizen Maeda, Yosuke Ideguchi and Reo Hatate.
The trio of J-League stars follow in the footsteps of Kyogo Furuhashi, who has proved to be a smash hit since his arrival in the summer.
Yokohama F Marinos striker Maeda has initially signed on a six-month loan deal but the Hoops are obligated to buy for a fee thought to be in the region of £1.7m.
Celtic have struggled for attacking options of late, with Kyogo Furuhashi, Giorgos Giakoumakis and Albian Ajeti all injured at different points in December.
Ideguchi and Hatate both join on four and a half year deals.
A statement from the Parkhead side read: "Celtic Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of three exciting new players from the Japanese J League.
"Daizen Maeda from Yokohama F. Marinos, Yosuke Ideguchi from Gamba Osaka and Reo Hatate from Kawasaki Frontale will all be registered with Celtic in early January, subject to the usual conditions and international clearance.
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DAIZEN MAEDA
"The 24-year-old forward is reuniting with Ange Postecoglou at Celtic, having previously played under the manager at Yokohama F. Marinos.
"He had originally joined Yokohama F. Marinos on loan in August 2020 following a previous loan spell with Maritimo in the Portuguese league, and by the end of the season had impressed Ange Postecoglou enough that the deal became a permanent one.
"And in the 2021 season, Daizen Maeda was joint top scorer in the J-League with 23 goals as Yokohama F. Marinos finished second and qualified for the AFC Champions League. He was also named in the J-League Best XI of the 2021 season and has been capped twice for the Japan national side.
"Daizen will join Celtic initially on loan but with a compulsory purchase clause included, meaning he will be with Celtic on a permanent basis from the summer on a long-term deal."
YOSUKE IDEGUCHI
"The 25-year-old midfielder began his career with Gamba Osaka, having come through their youth academy, and made his first-team debut in 2014.
"He spent a further four years with the club, winning the prestigious J-League ‘Rookie of the Year’ award in 2016, and it is from the same club that he joins Celtic, having re-signed for them back in 2019.
EASTERN PROMISE How Postecoglou can transform Celtic during January with Maeda, Ideguchi and Hatate signed and Jullien finally back fit
"In the intervening period, Yosuke Udeguchi joined Leeds United, before going out on loan, first to Cultural Leonesa in Spain and then Greuther Fürth in Germany. Yosuke Ideguchi has also been capped 15 times for Japan, scoring two goals for his country.
"He joins Celtic Football club on a four and a half year contract
REO HATATE
"The versatile 24-year-old, who can play in a number of position, joins Celtic from Kawasaki Frontale, having helped them win the J-League for the second successive year.
"He was also named in the J-League Best XI of the 2021 season alongside his new Celtic team-mate, Daizen Maeda. Reo Hatate was also selected to represent Japan at the recent Olympic Games, held in the summer in Japan.
"And he helped his country reach the last four of the tournament, though they lost out in the bronze medal match to Mexico.
"Reo will also be joining Celtic on a 4 and a half year contract.
"It is hoped all players will be joining up with the Celtic squad across the next few days."
Ange Postecoglou said: “We are really pleased to bring in these guys to Celtic and I think they are players who will excite our fans.
"Clearly I am well aware of their attributes and I think in bringing all three to the club we are bringing even more quality, personality and energy to the squad to work with the players who have done so well for us already this season.
“They are all really at the peak of their careers, ambitious to achieve more success and I am sure at this particular time we will be getting their best years.
"I am delighted to have secured these players so early in the transfer window, I look forward to working with them and myself, my backroom team and the rest of the squad will be making sure we help them settle into Celtic as quickly as possible.”
Celtic are facing up to a hectic spell once the winter break ends as they pursue honours on three fronts.
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They will try to close the six-point gap to leaders Rangers in the Scottish Premiership, starting with a game at home to Hibs on January 17.
They then open their Scottish Cup campaign away to Alloa Athletic on January 22.
There is also a Europa Conference League knock-out tie against Bodo/Glimt to look forward to on February 17 and 24.
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Postecoglou has said repeatedly that he needs reinforcements in January if Celtic are to be competitive in the second half of the campaign.
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