
'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.
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"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."

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The Herald Scotland
43 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Brendan Rodgers says Nicolas Kuhn move ‘great business' for Celtic
However, Celtic have opted to cash in on one of their prized assets and are set to rake in a fee in the region of £17m once the deal is finalised in the coming days. Brendan Rodgers and his staff before Celtic's win over Queen's Park (Andrew Milligan/PA) 'We've virtually agreed between the club and Como so it looks at this point that he'll be on his way, but we just have to wait for confirmation,' said Rodgers, speaking to the media at Lesser Hampden on Friday night after Celtic defeated Championship side Queen's Park 1-0 in a friendly. Kuhn scored 24 goals in 69 appearances for the club, starred in their run to the knockout phase of the Champions League and was nominated for the PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Year in his only full campaign at the club. 'I think it's very clear, the model of Celtic,' Rodgers continued. '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 for Como then it's great business all round.' Maik Nawrocki has struggled for games at Celtic (Andrew Milligan/PA) Rodgers also confirmed that Polish defender Maik Nawrocki is heading for German second-tier side Hannover on a season-long loan. The 24-year-old has been hindered by injury, managing just 18 appearances for the Hoops over the course of his two seasons after joining from Legia Warsaw in 2023. 'Maik's never really consistently been able to stay fit and really take that spot,' said the manager. 'This time last year, he started a game for us (at Ayr) and then he got injured and was out for a number of weeks. 'So, he's had a couple of years where he hasn't quite got the games that he would have liked. So it's important that he goes out and plays.' Hayato Inamura, right, watched Celtic's win at Queen's Park (Andrew Milligan/PA) Rodgers welcomed his fifth signing of the summer on Friday when 23-year-old Japanese defender Hayato Inamura joined on a four-year deal from J-League side Albirex Niigata. However, the manager explained that his latest recruit will be bedded in gently to life at Celtic. Asked if he would be ready to go straight into the first team, Rodgers said: 'No, he won't be. 'He's a part of the investment of the club. We'll assess and see where he's at as a young player and then it's whether he stays with the squad or whether he has to go out on loan.'

Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Rhyl Journal
Brendan Rodgers says Nicolas Kuhn move ‘great business' for Celtic
The 25-year-old German joined from Rapid Vienna for a fee of £3million 18 months ago and after a difficult start, he went on to establish himself as a key player for the Hoops last season. However, Celtic have opted to cash in on one of their prized assets and are set to rake in a fee in the region of £17m once the deal is finalised in the coming days. 'We've virtually agreed between the club and Como so it looks at this point that he'll be on his way, but we just have to wait for confirmation,' said Rodgers, speaking to the media at Lesser Hampden on Friday night after Celtic defeated Championship side Queen's Park 1-0 in a friendly. Kuhn scored 24 goals in 69 appearances for the club, starred in their run to the knockout phase of the Champions League and was nominated for the PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Year in his only full campaign at the club. 'I think it's very clear, the model of Celtic,' Rodgers continued. '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 for Como then it's great business all round.' Rodgers also confirmed that Polish defender Maik Nawrocki is heading for German second-tier side Hannover on a season-long loan. The 24-year-old has been hindered by injury, managing just 18 appearances for the Hoops over the course of his two seasons after joining from Legia Warsaw in 2023. 'Maik's never really consistently been able to stay fit and really take that spot,' said the manager. 'This time last year, he started a game for us (at Ayr) and then he got injured and was out for a number of weeks. 'So, he's had a couple of years where he hasn't quite got the games that he would have liked. So it's important that he goes out and plays.' Rodgers welcomed his fifth signing of the summer on Friday when 23-year-old Japanese defender Hayato Inamura joined on a four-year deal from J-League side Albirex Niigata. However, the manager explained that his latest recruit will be bedded in gently to life at Celtic. Asked if he would be ready to go straight into the first team, Rodgers said: 'No, he won't be. 'He's a part of the investment of the club. We'll assess and see where he's at as a young player and then it's whether he stays with the squad or whether he has to go out on loan.'

South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- South Wales Argus
Brendan Rodgers says Nicolas Kuhn move ‘great business' for Celtic
The 25-year-old German joined from Rapid Vienna for a fee of £3million 18 months ago and after a difficult start, he went on to establish himself as a key player for the Hoops last season. However, Celtic have opted to cash in on one of their prized assets and are set to rake in a fee in the region of £17m once the deal is finalised in the coming days. Brendan Rodgers and his staff before Celtic's win over Queen's Park (Andrew Milligan/PA) 'We've virtually agreed between the club and Como so it looks at this point that he'll be on his way, but we just have to wait for confirmation,' said Rodgers, speaking to the media at Lesser Hampden on Friday night after Celtic defeated Championship side Queen's Park 1-0 in a friendly. Kuhn scored 24 goals in 69 appearances for the club, starred in their run to the knockout phase of the Champions League and was nominated for the PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Year in his only full campaign at the club. 'I think it's very clear, the model of Celtic,' Rodgers continued. '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 for Como then it's great business all round.' Maik Nawrocki has struggled for games at Celtic (Andrew Milligan/PA) Rodgers also confirmed that Polish defender Maik Nawrocki is heading for German second-tier side Hannover on a season-long loan. The 24-year-old has been hindered by injury, managing just 18 appearances for the Hoops over the course of his two seasons after joining from Legia Warsaw in 2023. 'Maik's never really consistently been able to stay fit and really take that spot,' said the manager. 'This time last year, he started a game for us (at Ayr) and then he got injured and was out for a number of weeks. 'So, he's had a couple of years where he hasn't quite got the games that he would have liked. So it's important that he goes out and plays.' Hayato Inamura, right, watched Celtic's win at Queen's Park (Andrew Milligan/PA) Rodgers welcomed his fifth signing of the summer on Friday when 23-year-old Japanese defender Hayato Inamura joined on a four-year deal from J-League side Albirex Niigata. However, the manager explained that his latest recruit will be bedded in gently to life at Celtic. Asked if he would be ready to go straight into the first team, Rodgers said: 'No, he won't be. 'He's a part of the investment of the club. We'll assess and see where he's at as a young player and then it's whether he stays with the squad or whether he has to go out on loan.'