Daizen Maeda, the Japanese forward who predominantly occupies the position of a left winger, was born on 20 October 1997, making him 28 years of age at the time of writing. He has been serving Celtic Football Club and sporting the number 38 jersey. His physical attributes reflect a stature of 1.73m (5ft 8in) and a weight of 68kg (10st 9lb). Despite his allegiance to Celtic, Maeda has also extended his skills internationally, representing his homeland as part of the Japanese national team.
His prowess on the pitch has led to a healthy market value. As of this moment, Transfermarkt estimates his worth around £10m.
In January 2016, Maeda initiated his professional journey with Matsumoto Yamaga, a club participating in the lower leagues of Japanese football. His debut season witnessed him being incorporated in the first team for nine league matches. His performance peaked in the 2019 season, with him making 18 appearances and netting the ball twice.
The following January, Maeda shifted gears and moved on a loan deal to Mito Hollyhock, who compete in the J2 League in Japan. The loan season was fruitful for Maeda; he chalked up 20 appearances in league matches and dramatically improved his strike record, scoring eight times.
In January 2018, Maeda returned to Matsumoto Yamaga. The following year, his performance mirrored his last season with the club, with him making another 18 appearances and scoring two goals.
In July 2019, Maeda relocated once more, this time to Marítimo in the Liga Portugal 2, as part of another loan deal. His time in Portugal saw him contribute to 23 first team matches and score thrice.
Yokohama F. Marinos, part of the J1 League in Japan, secured Maeda's services next in August 2020, with the terms of the fee remaining undisclosed. During the 2020 season, he kept his record consistent, making 23 appearances and scoring three goals. The following year, Maeda managed an impressive 36 appearances and 23 goals.
After years of gaining experience and refining his skills around the globe, Maeda transitioned to Celtic in the Scottish Premiership in January 2022, initially on a loan deal. Showcasing remarkable resilience and skill, Maeda gave solid performances for Celtic across multiple seasons. His stay at Celtic was later made permanent in a full transfer from Yokohama F.Maranos for a sum of approximately £1.4m in July 2022.
During his career with Celtic, Maeda has consistently contributed to the team's league matches. To date in the current 2025-2026 season, he has cracked the first team 27 times and scored seven goals. In addition to his league contributions, Maeda has also played his part in various tournaments including the League Cup, Scottish Cup, World Cup Qualifiers Asia, Champions League Qualifiers, and Europa League, reliably enhancing his performance with each appearance.
