Daizen Maeda, born on the 20th of October 1997 and currently at the ripe age of 28, hails from Japan. This agile forward, who primarily holds the position of left winger for Celtic, cuts a compact figure on the pitch, standing at 5ft 8in (1.73m) and weighing 10st 9lb (68kg). He can be easily recognised by his favoured number 38 jersey. Aside from his club duties, Maeda has also demonstrated his skills on the international stage for the Japan national team.
As of present, his market value is estimated to be around £10m, according to Transfermarkt.
Maeda kick-started his professional career with Matsumoto Yamaga in the Japanese Lower Leagues in January 2016. He had a somewhat modest stint during the 2016 season, securing nine first team appearances in league matches, however, the subsequent season of 2019 saw him finding the back of the net on two occasions in 18 league matches.
In a temporal departure from Matsumoto Yamaga, he transferred on loan to Mito Hollyhock in the J2 League in January 2017. A successful period followed, with Maeda making 20 first team appearances and scoring a wholesome eight goals in league matches. Nonetheless, he wrapped up his loan spell and returned to Matsumoto Yamaga the following year.
Upon his return in 2018, Maeda nabbed nine first-team slots in his debut season, exemplifying his skills as a forward with two goals in 18 first-team appearances in the 2019 season.
In a trans-continental move, Maeda decided to jump ship all the way to Portugal in July 2019, joining Marítimo in the Liga Portugal 2 on loan. Here he continued to amass experience, playing in 23 league matches and scoring three goals during the 2019-2020 season.
His next voyage saw him moving to Yokohama F. Marinos in the J1 League in Japan in August 2020, this time for an undisclosed fee. His form showed significant escalation, manifesting in an impressive 23-goal haul from 36 league appearances by 2021.
Maeda’s journey took a northern twist in January 2022, when he traded Japan for the Scottish Premiership giant, Celtic, on loan. Over the following seasons from 2021-2025, Maeda had a substantial run with Celtic, playing a total of 113 first-team league matches and marking his presence with 36 goals. In the ongoing season of 2025-2026, Maeda continues to be a formidable force, already having scored seven goals in 28 league matches.
Maeda secured a permanent transfer to Celtic from Yokohama F. Marinos in the J1 League in Japan in July 2022 for a relatively palatable fee of £1.4m. Since then he has displayed an increased sense of responsibility, as portrayed by his on-field performances.
Maeda’s significant contributions extend beyond regular league outings as he has made his mark in various cup tournaments – scoring in three starts and one substitute appearance in the 2025-2026 League Cup for Celtic, appearing in Scottish Cup 2025-2026 for Celtic, Champions League Qualifiers 2025-2026 for Celtic with two starts, and the Europa League 2025-2026 for Celtic with eight starts and one appearance off the bench.
Needless to say, Maeda continues to impress with his performances both domestically and internationally. As Celtic supporters, we are looking forward to seeing more of his magic in seasons to come.
