Daizen Maeda walked around Hampden with another trophy in his hands on Saturday evening, but one banner inside the Celtic support caught far more attention than most of the celebrations around him.
As players completed their lap of honour after the Scottish Cup Final win over Dunfermline, a large banner reading “Arigato Daizen” appeared among the Celtic support behind the goal.
It immediately sparked fresh discussion around Maeda’s future.
The Japanese forward has been one of Celtic’s most consistent performers this season, and the banner felt like both a celebration and a farewell. Fans chanted his name loudly as the team paraded the cup, and in a highly emotional moment after full-time, Maeda took the microphone for a short but heartfelt speech that left many in the stadium and watching at home visibly moved.
“Thank you Celtic fans… Arigato,” he said, voice cracking slightly. “This club, this shirt… I give everything. You give me everything. I love you.”
He paused, fighting back tears, as the supporters responded with deafening applause and more chants of his name. The moment quickly went viral on social media, with many fans interpreting it as confirmation that this could be his final season at the club.
13 May 2026; Fir Park, Motherwell, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Motherwell versus Celtic; Elliot Watt of Motherwell slide tackles Daizen Maeda of Celtic.
Rumours surrounding the Japanese forward have continued throughout the second half of the season, especially with interest again building from Germany and England. Clubs like Stuttgart, Wolfsburg, and a couple of Premier League sides are believed to be monitoring his situation closely.
Maeda has still not publicly committed himself beyond next season, and Celtic know they are moving toward a dangerous point contractually if talks over a new deal do not progress. With his current contract entering its final year, the club risk losing him for a reduced fee or even on a free transfer in 2027.
The timing of the “Arigato Daizen” banner felt deliberate. Supporters know exactly how important Maeda has become during the last few months of the campaign. Once the title race tightened, Celtic increasingly relied on his movement, pressing and physical intensity in games that became tense and scrappy rather than open and technical.
Saturday’s final followed the same pattern. Despite a nervous start from Celtic against a determined Dunfermline side managed by Neil Lennon, Maeda’s pace and intelligent run in behind the defence settled the tie early.
His well-taken goal in the 22nd minute changed the feel of the afternoon completely. From that point, Callum McGregor and Arne Engels began to dominate midfield, and Celtic never looked back.
The final score finished 3-1, with further goals from Kyogo Furuhashi and substitute Adam Idah. Dunfermline pulled one back late on, but Maeda’s work-rate never dropped. Even with the cup already secured, he was sprinting back to press defenders deep in his own half during the closing stages.
That relentless energy has become his trademark at Celtic.
That is why supporters reacted so strongly toward him after full-time.
The banner itself looked simple enough — white background with bold green lettering — but it reflected the growing fear among fans that this may have been Maeda’s final major occasion in a Celtic shirt.
There are players supporters admire technically. Others become favourites because of personality. Maeda sits somewhere different because of how hard he plays every minute he is on the pitch. Celtic’s entire shape changes when he starts pressing aggressively from the front. Opponents are forced deeper, mistakes increase, and transitions become lethal.
Since joining Celtic from Yokohama F. Marinos in 2021, Maeda has grown into one of the most effective forwards in Scottish football. His stats this season underline his importance: 14 league goals, 8 assists, and a staggering amount of high-intensity runs that have helped Brendan Rodgers’ side control games in different ways.
He has become the ultimate pressing machine — a player who can win the ball high up the pitch and stretch defences with his speed.
As he walked around Hampden with the Scottish Cup trophy above his head, many supporters probably wondered whether they were saying thank you rather than simply celebrating another winner’s medal.
Maeda has never been the most vocal player in interviews, but his actions on the pitch have always spoken louder than words. His work ethic, humility, and obvious love for the club have earned him genuine affection from the Celtic faithful.
Behind the scenes, contract negotiations appear to have stalled. Celtic are reportedly unwilling to meet Maeda’s wage demands for a new long-term deal, while the player and his representatives are keeping options open for a move to a bigger league.
Interest from the Bundesliga has been consistent, with several clubs attracted by his pace, pressing ability, and relatively low transfer fee compared to other targets. English Championship sides are also said to be monitoring him as a potential high-upside signing.
For Celtic fans, the situation creates mixed emotions. On one hand, they desperately want to keep a player who has given everything for the cause. On the other, they understand that football is a business and Maeda may feel it is time for a new challenge after four and a half years in Glasgow.
Whatever happens next, Saturday’s Scottish Cup Final will be remembered as one of Maeda’s defining days in green and white. The goal, the trophy lift, the banner, and the tearful speech combined to create a memorable farewell — if that is what it turns out to be.
As the players left the pitch, Maeda lingered for a few extra moments, applauding the fans in all four stands. Many left Hampden wondering if they had just witnessed the end of an era for one of Celtic’s most popular cult heroes of the current decade.
Only time will tell if Daizen Maeda will be back for pre-season. But one thing is certain — Celtic supporters have made their feelings clear.
Arigato, Daizen.