Daizen Maeda divulges Celtic fitness plan to replicate dream season as Parkhead starlet reveals catalyst for exit

Daily Record

2 days ago

The Japan star is due back at Lennoxtown later this week
Celtic goal machine Daizen Maeda has revealed he has teamed up with former club Mito HollyHock to build up his fitness ahead of his return to Celtic later this week.
The striker - who netted 33 goals in all competitions last season and scooped up multiple player of the year awards - was not involved in the international break last month after Japan opted to rest him having already qualified for next year's World Cup in North America.
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The 27-year-old is set to get back to Scotland to start pre-season with the Hoops later this week but says that he has been ticking over with the J2 League minnows.
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Maeda - a reported transfer target for Fenerbahce and Brentford this summer - said: "I was able to train in a great environment with a good team who are currently at the top of the league.
"I don't know what the new season will bring for me, but first, I want to get in shape at their training camp. I felt ok, but I think I still have a long way to go.
"It was an enjoyable session. Mito are a great team and there is a good atmosphere in the camp. I really hope they win promotion."
And the manager of his old club, Naoki Mori, was clearly impressed with Maeda's condition.
He observed: "Daizen was as fast as ever. His sense of speed is just what we all expected."
Meanwhile, Daniel Cummings has revealed Mark Noble's crucial role in his decision to join West Ham United.
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The striker has headed down south after rising through the youth ranks at Celtic, where he banged in goals in the UEFA Youth League.
But having made just one lone senior appearance as a substitute in the Champions League defeat to Aston Villa last season, Cummings opted to depart the Parkhead giants at the end of his contract - although the Hoops will be entitled to a development fee.
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And the 19-year-old says his conversations with Hammers legend and current West Ham sporting director Noble were the catalyst to make to the move to the London club.
Speaking to West Ham's website, he said: "It feels amazing to join West Ham United, and it's a dream come true.
'It's every young footballer's dream to play in the Premier League, so when West Ham came calling, it was too good to say no, and I'm looking forward to getting started.
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"Since day one, when Mark [Noble] was on the phone, he spoke so highly of everyone here and sold the club to me. I did a lot of research about the club and there's a pathway to the first team, and that's all you can ask for as a young player.
"I've been at Celtic since the age of five and have played for their B team in the Lowland League for the last few years. I've played in the UEFA Youth League, and also managed to make my first-team debut in January against Aston Villa in the Champions League, and all of these experiences have provided the perfect preparation for my next step here at West Ham.
"I arrive here full of confidence. I loved every minute of last season because I went into every game feeling like I was going to score, and to do that on the big stage in the likes of the UEFA Youth League was amazing.
"I'm an all-rounded striker who likes to run in behind and hold up the ball, but at the end of the day, I'm a goal scorer, and I like to score goals and celebrate with the fans, so I'm going to give everything - absolutely everything - for this Club.
"I want to be successful and of course the aim is to be a first-team player for West Ham. I want to keep pushing, and hopefully I can do well and eventually get that first-team opportunity."