
'World-class' Celtic star backed to 'set new standards'
And, according to Mito boss Naoki Mori, he looks ready to hit the ground running again in the new campaign.
Mori said: "Daizen Maeda is clearly a world-class athlete. I think he will set new standards this season, even for him.
"He took part in our training this week because he wanted to be ready for the return to Celtic and used it as part of his conditioning.
Read more:
"So as long as we didn't injure him, it was good!
"He was a great motivator for my players. They only need to look at him and see what he has done since he left our club.
"He was talking to them for the two days he was at our club about lots of things.
"Obviously, he has improved in every aspect since he was last at our club and he has taken his game to an entirely new level.
"I am sure he will have another great season and play at the World Cup at the end of it."

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Record
36 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Celtic kickstart Nicolas Kuhn succession plan with £3m Rapid Vienna winger and quick fire Balikwisha 'cash in'
The Scottish champions are looking for a replacement for Como-bound Kuhn Celtic are reportedly tracking Rapid Vienna winger Isak Jansson with Nicolas Kuhn on the brink of a move to Como. The Scottish Premiership champions are set to bank £17.2m for the move to Serie A just 18 months after Celtic splashed £3m to bring the winger to Glasgow's east end. And they are set to return to the club they snapped up Kuhn in an attempt to bring in the wide man. The 23-year-old joined Rapid as Kuhn's successor in the Austrian Bundesliga in January 2024 - and could do the same at Celtic Park this summer with a £3million price tag place on the Swede. The Sun report he is "on the radar" of the Scottish champions alongside Lazio, Fiorentina and Ligue 1 side Paris FC. Michel-Ange Balikwisha is on the Parkhead agenda with Celtic holding a long-standing interest in the 24-year-old. Gazet van Antwerpen report that Royal Antwerp remain in talks a over a move for the forward to Glasgow's east end - and are looking for a "speedy" conclusion to the move to "cash in" on their prize asset. admitted that a move to Italy is imminent for Kuhn - and urged the club to quickly reinvest the money with Champions League qualifiers looming. After the friendly clash with Queen's Park, he said: 'I think it's very clear, the model of Celtic. He's come in and in the 18 months he's done absolutely fantastic for us. He was aware of interest towards the end of last season and that sort of followed through. 'Other teams have joined in that interest over the summer and that's why a lot of the young players come. It's a wonderful, brilliant club to come to develop and improve. "And you can see within a short period of time, 18 months, he's now getting the move that he wants. 'He's done brilliant for us in the 18 months and, if he does end up going and signing at Como, then it's great business all round.' Rodgers is instantly on the hunt for more recruits with the early deal key as he continued: 'Yes, it's exactly that. I think it really helps us." You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. here and our Celtic community here.


Glasgow Times
42 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Ex-Celtic striker Kyogo completes English Championship move
The Japanese forward, 30, left Rennes after less than six months, having failed to score in six appearances. Birmingham City confirmed the signing on Saturday evening, though the fee remains undisclosed. A club statement said: "Birmingham City is delighted to confirm the signing of Kyogo Furuhashi from Rennes for an undisclosed fee, subject to clearance. Read more: "The 30-year-old forward has put pen to paper on a three-year contract with Blues through to the summer of 2028." Furuhashi will reunite with former Celtic coach Chris Davies, now Birmingham's manager, and fellow Japanese player Tomoki Iwata, who joined Birmingham last summer. The pair played 30 times together at Celtic. After winning League One last season, Birmingham are aiming for consecutive promotions, and the addition of Furuhashi is expected to bolster their efforts. The club statement further highlighted Furuhashi's successful stint at Celtic, where he scored 85 goals in 165 games before his move to Rennes in January 2025. His time in Scotland saw him win eight domestic trophies and participate regularly in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League. Furuhashi's international experience includes 23 caps for Japan since his debut in 2019. Despite his short-lived spell at Rennes, the forward's past performances suggest he could be a valuable asset for Birmingham City in their Championship campaign.


Edinburgh Reporter
43 minutes ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
‘Life-changing' move as Penrice joins AEK Athens
James Penrice is now a player with AEK Athens after Hearts agreed an undisclosed fee with the Greek Super League club. The 26-year-old joined the Jambos on a free transfer in June 2024 and made 46 appearances, scoring two goals. He was the club's Player of the Year and Fans' Player of the Year last season and earned a slot in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year. A statement from the club said Penrice made a huge impact at Tynecastle and described the move as 'life-changing'. The club thanked the Livingston-born player for his services and wished him luck in Athens. PENRICE GONE: James Penrice taking part in one of his last training sessions with the Jambos at Riccarton. Picture Nigel Duncan Like this: Like Related