Born on the 20th of October 1997, Daizen Maeda is a 28-year-old Japanese forward skilled as a left-winger. Currently plying his trade at Celtic, Maeda is not an imposing figure physically but possesses a good turn of pace and a low centre of gravity. He stands at 5ft 8in (1.73m) tall and weighs in at 10st 9lb (68kg). Wearing the number 38 jersey, he has also had the honour of representing the Japan national team.
According to Transfermarkt, Maeda's market value is estimated to be in the region of £12million, a testament to his rising stock in the football world.
Before his big break at Celtic, Maeda had already developed a reputation at both Matsumoto Yamaga and Mito Hollyhock in Japan, particularly for his goal-scoring prowess. During his tenure at Matsumoto Yamaga in 2016 and 2019, he totalled 27 first team league appearances, with two goals to his name. Notably, his stint at Mito Hollyhock in 2017 saw him score eight times in 20 first team appearances.
Maeda would return to Matsumoto Yamaga after his loan spell, before eventually being loaned to Marítimo in Portugal's Liga Portugal 2 in July 2019, where he made 23 first team appearances and scored three goals.
The forward then made the move to Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan's J1 League in August 2020 for an undisclosed fee. His time here was particularly fruitful, bagging 26 goals in 59 first team appearances.
January 2022 marked a significant turning point in Maeda's career, as he transferred to Celtic in the Scottish Premiership on loan. His time at Celtic has been both prolific and consistent. Over four seasons, from 2021-2026, Maeda has made 135 appearances in the league for the Hoops, netting 43 times.
The forward's stint at Celtic was made permanent in July 2022 for a fee of around £1.4million. He continued to thrive at the club, consistently scoring and providing a constant threat to opposition defences.
Aside from his exploits in the Premiership, Maeda has also made significant contributions in cup competitions. Notable amongst these is his single goal in Celtic's 2025-2026 League Cup campaign. He has also performed on the international stage, scoring once in the 2024-2026 World Cup Qualifiers for Japan. Furthermore, Maeda has made appearances in both Champions League Qualifiers and Europa League for Celtic in the 2025-2026 season.
Maeda's journey from Japan's lower leagues to the bustling stadiums of Scotland is notable, to say the least. Upon arriving at Celtic, he has proven to be a consistent performer, a persistent threat, and above all, a reliable source of goals. His exploits are sure to endure in the memory of Celtic fans for years to come.
