J-League trio Maeda, Ideguchi, and Hatate join Celtic

Daizen Maeda

is joining

from

, where he worked under the reign of

Ange Postecolglou

, Celtic’s current manager.

25-year-old

Yosuke Ideguchi

is departing

to make a move to Celtic, whereas

Reo Hatate

, who is able to feature in both left and midfield, comes to Celtic from

.

Postecoglou told Celtic's website:

"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."

Maeda ended 2021 after being J League’s joint top scorer with 23 goals. The player, who has two caps for Japan, will join the club on an initial loan spell before making his deal permanent in the summer.

Ideguchi was a player for Leeds for 18 months previously, but never made an appearance for them, going back to Gamba Osaka in 2019.

He scored two goals for Japan and has 15 caps. Now, he has penned a four-and-a-half-year contract at Parkhead.

Hatate joined a similar contract as well and after contributing to Kawasaki Frontale’s second consecutive Japanese title, he will make a move to Celtic.

He has not yet his senior debut for his country, but was included in the U23 side that went to the semi-finals of their Olympics this summer.

In January, there three players will be registered, aiming to make it to the squad early in the new year.

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