Celtic winger Daizen Maeda makes surprise visit to former club in Japan

Now that the season is over, many of Celtic’s players will be heading on international duty with their country.

With four of Brendan Rodgers’ team away on Scotland duty, Luis Palma is also away with Honduras whilst Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda are over in Japan preparing for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Myanmar and Syria.

Celtic also have Liam Scales, Bosun Lawal and Mikey Johnston all away with the Republic of Ireland. So there still is interest for the Hoops support in the coming weeks for them to keep an eye on the international scene.

And whilst the Japan Bhoys look forward to being capped this week, Celtic winger Daizen Maeda paid a visit to one of his former clubs.

Maeda takes in Mito HollyHock game

After tasting further league glory and Scottish Cup success, Maeda was selected by Hajime Moriyasu for Japan’s upcoming fixture.

And whilst enjoying some well-earned downtime, the Celtic winger was pictured attending a Game featuring one of his old team’s, Mito HollyHock.

MollyHock was one of Maeda’s first clubs as he looked to make a name for himself in the professional game.

Loaned to the Japanese club in 2017, Maeda 36 appearances scoring 13 goals and creating four assists. [Transfermarkt]

It was his form over that spell that caught the attention of the then Yokohama F Marinos boss and former Celtic manager, Ange Postecoglou. [F Marinos]

And we all know what happened next. Maeda got his big move to Glasgow and now he is an icon at the club.

Of course, this isn’t the first time Maeda has returned to his old club in close season. I told last June how the Celtic winger visited HollyHock and it’s clear that from his return this year, the Japanese club still holds a special place in Maeda’s heart.