Daizen Maeda is heading back to national team duty with Japan — and his growing importance to Ipswich’s Premier League attack is becoming impossible to ignore
Ipswich Town’s summer signing Daizen Maeda has been handed another vote of confidence, called up by Japan for their busy September/October international schedule — the latest sign of just how highly the winger is regarded on both club and international stages.
From Celtic to Portman Road, Straight Into the Starting XI
Maeda arrived at Ipswich in an £8.5 million deal from Celtic this summer, and he’s wasted no time establishing himself as a regular starter. The 28-year-old has featured on the left flank in all three of Ipswich’s opening Premier League fixtures — against Sunderland, Manchester United, and Liverpool — underlining just how central he’s already become to Gary O’Neil’s setup.
A Packed Schedule With Japan
Maeda will now link up with the Samurai Blue under head coach Hajime Moriyasu for a demanding run of fixtures. Japan first host South American opposition, taking on Uruguay on Thursday, September 24th, followed by Venezuela on Monday, September 28th.
From there, attention shifts to the Kirin Cup, a four-team tournament that gets underway with a clash against Ecuador on Thursday, October 1st. Japan will then face either New Zealand or Panama on Monday, October 5th, depending on how the earlier results shake out — with that fixture determining whether it’s a final or a third-place play-off.
An Experienced International Operator
This isn’t new territory for Maeda. The winger already boasts 30 senior caps for Japan, having scored five international goals since making his debut back in 2019. His experience on the biggest stages makes him a trusted figure within Moriyasu’s squad, and his current form at club level will only strengthen his standing heading into this international window.
Ipswich’s Growing International Footprint
Maeda’s call-up continues what’s shaping up to be a landmark season for international recognition at Portman Road. He joins an increasingly impressive list of Ipswich players representing their countries this break:
- Exequiel Palacios (Argentina)
- Daizen Maeda (Japan)
- Marcelino Nunez (Chile)
- Sindre Walle Egeli (Norway U21)
- Corbin Mthunzi (Zimbabwe)
- Henry Gray (New Zealand)
What It Means for Ipswich
Six separate international call-ups is a striking marker of the calibre of talent now assembled at Portman Road — a far cry from the squad depth Ipswich have historically been able to call upon. For a newly-promoted side fighting to establish themselves in the Premier League, having players trusted by national team setups across multiple continents speaks volumes about the progress made during this summer’s recruitment drive.
Maeda and his teammates will now head off for international duty, with Ipswich fans hoping their key men return in good shape — and good form — ahead of the club’s next Premier League test.
