There was no chance Daizen Maeda was going to blend in to the crowd when he turned up for the J-League awards bash in full traditional Japanese hakama clobber.
The new Bhoy caught the eye when he picked up his top scorer gong – and he’s also determined to stand out with Celtic.
Maeda looked the part in his homeland with Ange Postecoglou ’s old outfit Yokahama F Marinos and he’s already dressed to impress in Scotland.
The frontman wants to strut his stuff in the Premiership and make sure he’s wrapped in the league flag by the end of the season.
Maeda said: “I don’t want to be the same as others. I want to be unique. I want to be centre of attention.
“This is why I chose that costume on that occasion. It just felt right.
“I really want to score a lot of goals at Celtic and to be a real star here too.
“Winning trophies is the only thing I haven’t achieved in my career so far. This is something I want.
“I believe it’s something I can achieve here. It’s a club that wins things. Of course I want the title.”
Postecoglou has been busy in January with Reo Hatate and Yosuke Ideguchi already heading across from the Far East.
However, it’s the Maeda deal that’s got Hoops supporters buzzing.
The 24-year-old rattled 23 goals for Marinos last season and has a reputation for being a speed merchant as well as a lethal finisher.
Postecoglou has been desperate to bring across his star man since last summer and admitted he’s thrilled to finally have him on board at the Hoops.
The frontman jumped at the chance of reuniting with his old gaffer as well – as he reckons he’s tailor Maeda for the manager’s swashbuckling style.
He said: “The style of football was aggressive and intense at Marinos. We all enjoyed playing that way.
“It’s one of the reasons why moving to Celtic was such an easy decision for me as I know the manager’s style so well.
“Coming here to Celtic, I have already seen the videos of how we are going to play.
“The training sessions are pretty similar to the ones at Marinos and how we play will be close to that too. This is all good for me.
“The manager has got the best out of me in the past. I hope he will do so again.
“The first thing I bring to the team is speed. When I am behind the opposition defence, I try to be the first defender for my team.
“I want to create and score goals. These are the things I’m looking forward to showing to the Celtic fans. I will give them and the team everything.”
Maeda landing in Scotland has set up the mouth-watering prospect of a partnership with smash-hit Kyogo Furuhashi.
The pair of them can play across the frontline but there are no hints over Postecoglou’s plans for the duo.
Maeda said: “I have been playing for a long time as a centre forward. At Marinos, my former club, I sometimes played as a left winger. I am happy playing in either position.
“It is a decision for the manager and coaches. I will do my job wherever they want me to do it. I will always give my best.
“I don’t yet know the plan of the manager but if we are asked to play together then we would be very strong. I think it is an option. But let’s see how it works.”
Maeda is determined to make the most of his chance to shine in Scotland after being restricted to cameo shows in his last attempt to break Europe.
The attacker’s spell in Portugal had positive moments but he returned to his homeland after just 12 months.
He has headed west again but he’s convinced he’s back this time with more experience and better equipped to make a name for himself.
Maeda said: “After playing in Portugal with Maritimo my preference was to stay in Europe as I enjoyed it.
“But fortunately Marinos offered me the chance to return to the J-League and I felt it was the right move at that time.
“I felt I could help them and improve so that’s why I decided to go there.
“But after a while, once again I began to think about returning to Europe. It was a question of waiting on the right opportunity to come along.
“Fortunately the manager called me and gave me that opportunity. Celtic is the perfect club for me at this time. It already feels right.
“I’m settling in very well to the city and the club. But I have to adapt quickly and settle down well. Already, I’m very happy.”
Maeda has not long put his feet up on the back of his J-League campaign but he’s already raring for the next challenge and would be thrilled to take his bow when the Premiership gets back up and running against Hibs on Monday.
Celtic Park’s doors will be open again and there should be 60,000 ready to welcome the new recruits and Maeda is out to make a quick impression.
He said: “I feel good physically as the league in Japan hasn’t long finished. So my condition is good. I feel that I can move my body well.
“I do feel a little bit of tiredness but I don’t want to make excuses. I’m just concentrating on my training. I want to play and help the team to get good results.
“It could be my first game as a Celtic player against Hibs and of course it will be great if there are so many fans inside the stadium to watch it. All I want to do is score goals and share happiness with all the fans.”
