Daizen Maeda, born on the 20th of October 1997, hails from Japan. A versatile forward, Maeda primarily operates as a left-winger for Celtic. He stands 5ft 8in tall (1.73m) and weighs 10st 9lb (68kg). Known for donning the number 38 jersey, Maeda has been a mainstay for the Japan national team as well.
According to Transfermarkt, Maeda's market value circles around £6.8 million. His current contract with Celtic has a tenure of further 2 years and 5 months, set to wind up on 31 May 2027.
In January 2016, Maeda embarked on his professional football journey with Matsumoto Yamaga, a club in the Japanese lower leagues. His initial outing saw him make nine league appearances. By the second half of 2019, Maeda's notable contributions amounted to 18 league matches with two goals.
A switch was on the cards in 2017, and Maeda found himself at Mito Hollyhock in the J2 League, on loan. A productive year was in store, with Maeda scoring eight goals from his 20 league appearances.
Having completed his loan spell, Maeda returned to Matsumoto Yamaga in 2018, where he continued his steady performances. However, in July 2019, he was loaned out to Marítimo in the Liga Portugal 2. Over his tenure there, he summoned three goals from 23 league matches.
The following year, Maeda found a new home at Yokohama F. Marinos in the J1 League. An undisclosed fee was negotiated and Maeda geared up for a new chapter. His time there was marked by a tally of 23 goals out of 59 league matches.
By January 2022, an opportunity from across the globe emerged, and Maeda signed for Celtic, initially on loan. His first season in Scottish football ended with him having notched up six goals from 16 matches. In the following seasons, Maeda remained a vital cog in Celtic's forward line, making numerous appearances and hitting the net frequently. By the current season of 2024-2025, Maeda has managed to feature 20 times while registering five goals.
Interestingly, the acquisition of Maeda became a permanent affair in July 2022, as Celtic shelled out around £1.4 million transferring him from Yokohama. Since joining, Maeda has maintained consistent performances, scoring regularly and proving his worth to the club.
Beyond domestic competition, Maeda stepped up on the continental and international stage. He was part of Celtic's Champions League campaign in 2023-2024 and 2024-2025, and made an impact in the League Cup 2024-2025 through his six goals from three starts. Furthermore, representing Japan in the World Cup Qualifiers Asia 2024-2026, Maeda chipped in with a goal from his solitary start in the competition.
