Born in Japan on the 20th of October 1997, Daizen Maeda is a naturally gifted forward who primarily takes to the field as a left winger for Celtic. At 5ft 8in (1.73m) tall and weighing 10st 9lb (68kg), his agility and pace are notable attributes. He dons the number 38 jersey and has also had the honour of representing the Japan national team.
As of the latest assessment, his market value hovers around £11.8 million, Transfermarkt reports.
His career inception saw him join Matsumoto Yamaga in the Japan Lower Leagues in January of 2016. Following an impressive debut where he made nine first-team appearances, Maeda secured a loan transfer to Mito Hollyhock in the J2 Leagues in 2017 where his performance was underscored by 20 first-team appearances and eight impressive goals.
Following his successful loan spell, he returned to Matsumoto Yamaga in 2018. His relentless commitment contributed to another solid season in 2019 with Maeda making 18 first-team appearances contributing to a healthy two team goals.
In July 2019, Daizen Maeda spread his wings further afield by seizing a loan opportunity with Marítimo in the Liga Portugal 2. He quickly made an impact with 23 first-team appearances and three goals.
By 2020, Maeda was courting interest from Yokohama F. Marinos in the reputable J1 League. His transfer was sealed for an undisclosed fee and marked the prolific 2021 season with 23 league goals from 36 appearances.
His remarkable talent caught the eye of renowned Scottish club Celtic, and in January 2022, Maeda ventured west to the British Isles. His performance during his first season, which included 16 first-team appearances and six goals, subsequently ensured a permanent £1.4 million transfer deal in July 2022.
Forever etched into Celtic's history, Maeda has consistently delivered for the Hoops with an overall tally of 67 first-team appearances and 43 goals to date. His last recorded performance notes 19 first team appearances and seven goals already notched in the current 2025-2026 season.
His skills have not been confined to regular games. He displayed his ability in the League Cup 2025-2026 for Celtic and the World Cup Qualifiers Asia 2024-2026 for Japan, contributing valuable goals. Maeda also contributed his skills considerably in the Champions League Qualifiers 2025-2026 and the Europa League 2025-2026, for Celtic, with commendable starts and appearances as a substitute.
