Sports
Daizen Maeda: Ipswich sign Japan forward from Celtic
Ipswich Town have signed Japan forward Daizen Maeda from Celtic on a three-year contract.
The 28-year-old, who has joined the Premier League side in a reported £10m deal,, external was part of his country’s squad at the 2026 World Cup and helped them reach the last 32 before they were knocked out by Brazil.
Maeda scored 79 goals in 212 appearances at Celtic, where he won five league titles, three Scottish Cups and two League cups.
“I have always dreamed of playing in the Premier League and I am very happy I can realise that dream with this club,” Maeda told Ipswich’s website., external
“I have loved all of the conversations with the club and they have made me feel very welcome.
“My aim will always be to battle hard, score goals, and provide assists for my team – I will always run and give everything that I have.”
Ipswich manager Gary O’Neil, who took over at Portman Road in the summer following the departure of Kieran McKenna, believes Maeda will be “a valuable member” of his squad.
Maeda joins the Tractor Boys following their promotion back into the top flight after they finished second in the Championship under McKenna last season.
“He works extremely hard and has impressive physical attributes, while also proving over a number of years playing in Scotland that he has the ability to score goals and create for his team,” said O’Neil.
Ipswich have added Maeda to the arrivals of defender Issa Diop, winger Abdul Fatawu, striker Emersonn and goalkeeper Kayne van Oevelen.
In addition, defender Cedric Kipre and forward Chuba Akpom signed on a permanent basis following successful loans last season.
In a social media post, external to the “Celtic family”, Maeda said “the last four and a half years at Celtic have been the most special chapter of my career and my life”.
He added: “It has been an incredible honour to wear this badge, to play for this amazing club, and to share so many unforgettable moments with my teammates, the staff, and the best supporters in the world.
“Thank you for standing by me through every high and low.”
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Sports
'One more last dance' – Usyk says retirement is near
Former heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk tells BBC Sport he wants one “last dance” before retiring, but insists it will only be one more fight and no more.
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Sports
The Hundred: SunRisers Leeds vs Southern Brave – Mitch Marsh hits six sixes at Headingley
Mitch Marsh hits 69 off 34 balls, an innings which included six sixes, as he helps his Sunrisers Leeds reach 187-5 against Southern Brave at Headingley – with both sides looking to secure their first win of the 2026 tournament.
FOLLOW LIVE: The Hundred – Marsh powers Sunrisers to 187-5 against Brave
Available to UK users only.
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Sports
Newcastle: Eddie Howe unsure on Bruno Guimaraes future amid Arsenal interest
Newcastle‘s midfield has been weakened by the departure of Sandro Tonali, who joined Tottenham this month in a deal worth up to £100m.
Young midifelders Sean Steur and Aladji Bamba have sinced arrived from Ajax and Monaco respectively.
Although Saturday’s game came too soon for Bamba, whose move was announced on Friday, Steur played 90 minutes.
“He played really well today,” Howe said. “He can be really pleased with his performance and first showing in Newcastle colours.”
It is rare for an academy graduate to leave Ajax at 18, and for a fee worth up to £23m.
However, Newcastle have to take calculated risks before potential signings like Steur potentially explode in value and are out of reach.
Dutchman Steur clearly has promise.
Willem Weijs, who managed Steur at Jong Ajax – the club’s reserve side – has described him as “one of the highest-rated” players in their academy.
There were glimpses of Steur’s technical ability, composure and vision against National League side Gateshead.
But he will need time to adapt to the physicality and intensity of the Premier League.
“He’s outstanding in his first touches and creating options when playing a possession game,” Weijs said.
“He’s good at scanning; really comfortable on the ball; really good in tight spaces.
“He’s a typical Dutch-type midfield player, but he should focus on his points to develop as well, which is for sure the defensive part.
“He should compete better in the duels, spending much more time in the gym. I know he’s working on that, but he can improve and he has to improve.”
Newcastle have shifted strategy this summer, targeting players aged 20 and under and based on the continent.
Steur, Bamba and fellow newcomers Ewen Jaouen and Bazoumana Toure will need patience.
It is one of the many reasons why Howe will desperately want to keep hold of Guimaraes, having lost Isak, Tonali and Anthony Gordon in the past year.
“We all need to be very supportive to the players that have come in,” Howe said.
“I don’t think we can put too much pressure on them. It’s part of my job to try and take the pressure off them and allow them to develop and to enjoy their time here.”
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