Daizen Maeda, born 20 October 1997 in Japan, is a proficient forward who currently plays on the left wing for Celtic. Standing at 5ft 8in (1.73m) and weighing 10st 9lb (68kg), this 28-year-old Japanese national team player dons the number 38 jersey.
Curiously, Maeda's market value is approximately £13 million, as defined by Transfermarkt.
Maeda's professional career set off in January 2016, when he joined Matsumoto Yamaga, competing within the Japan Lower Leagues. His debut season saw him making nine appearances for the first team in league matches. The 2019 season brought more opportunities with 18 first team appearances and a contribution of two goals.
In a brief interlude from Matsumoto Yamaga in 2017, he was loaned to Mito Hollyhock in the J2 League, enhancing his score sheet with eight goals in 20 first team appearances. Upon return to his original club in 2018, he resumed progression, echoing his previous performance.
An opportunity to explore European football presented itself in July 2019 with a loan transfer to Liga Portugal 2 side, Marítimo. Once again, Maeda demonstrated his ability on the field with three goals across 23 appearances.
August 2020 marked an important milestone in Maeda's career path as he transferred to Yokohama F. Marinos in the J1 League for an undisclosed fee. With this new challenge, Maeda's performance escalated, amassing 23 goals from 36 first team appearances in the 2021 season.
In January 2022, he found himself stepping onto Scottish land as he joined Celtic on loan. His initial season furnished us with six goals in 16 appearances. Subsequent seasons at Celtic maintained his momentum with contributions of eight goals, six goals, and 16 goals respectively. The current season already records five goals from 13 games.
A permanent deal with Celtic in July 2022, bought for a fee of around £1.4m, affirmed his commitment to the club. His dedication to the club unflagging, he has consistently been a critical part of the offensive line. His performances ranging from local leagues to international competitions like the Champions League, World Cup Qualifiers for Japan, and the Europa League, speak volumes about his skill and adaptability.
Daizen Maeda, consistently an asset for Celtic over the years, has undeniably stamped his mark on the Scottish Premiership, reminiscent of what we expect from a player of his calibre.
