Daizen Maeda, born in Osaka on 20 October 1997 (age 28), is a Japan international and Celtic’s number 38, used primarily from the left. His career was not built in a straight line. Early loan football gave him the minutes and hard edges he needed before he became a serious attacking force at Yokohama F. Marinos.
His best league season in Japan came in 2021, when he scored 23 goals in 36 appearances for Yokohama F. Marinos. Celtic moved for him in January 2022, bringing him from a club with a familiar recent connection to the Scottish champions. It was a sensible fit: pace, pressing, repeat runs, and enough goals to make the work rate more than just a talking point.
At Celtic, Maeda has become an important first-team player rather than a decorative wide option. He has won three Premiership titles, two League Cups and two Scottish Cups with the club, while also finishing runner-up in another Scottish Cup. His value is now around £11m, according to Transfermarkt.
He remains a regular presence in 2025–26. Across all competitions for Celtic this season, he has made 54 appearances and scored 17 goals, including 14 in the league. He has also featured for Japan in Asian World Cup qualifying, scoring once in seven appearances.
Maeda’s career has moved from development football in Japan to a productive Yokohama spell and then into a sustained role at Celtic. He is still central to the current side, valued for the directness and relentlessness that have made him difficult to leave out.
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