Daizen Maeda, born on the 20th of October, 1997, in Japan is a striking force for Celtic, where he dominates the left wing. At a subtle height of 5ft 8ins (1.73m) and weighing in at modest 10st 9lb (68kg), Maeda is hardly the most imposing figure on the pitch. However, his contributions to the Celtic front line, symbolized by his number 38 jersey, are undeniable. He has also represented his homeland Japan on more than one occasion, showcasing his consistent talent on an international level.
As per recent estimations by Transfermarkt, his market value is approximately £9.5m. His contract with Celtic is expected to last until May 31st, 2027, leaving a comfortable 2 years and 2 months before his services could potentially be secured elsewhere.
Maeda first began his professional football journey with Matsumoto Yamaga in the Japan Lower Leagues in January 2016. Over the course of his initial season, he made nine appearances for the first team in league matches, gradually establishing himself within the team's dynamics. In the 2019 season, he had a repeat stint with Matsumoto Yamaga, this time making 18 first team appearances and managing to net the ball twice in league games.
In a switch of scenery in January 2017, Maeda transferred to Mito Hollyhock in the J2 League on loan. Over the course of that season, Maeda's performance seemed to flourish, with 20 first team appearances and a commendable eight goals in the league. After the completion of his loan, he returned to Matsumoto Yamaga.
July 2019 saw another loan move for Maeda, this time to Marítimo in the Liga Portugal 2. Here, he managed a total of 23 first team appearances with three goals scored over the course of the season. A permanent move was in the offing in August 2020, taking him from Matsumoto Yamaga to Yokohama F. Marinos in the J1 League, Japan, for an undisclosed fee. Over two seasons, he scored an impressive 26 goals in league matches from 59 first team appearances.
A pivotal point in his career came in January 2022 when he transferred to Celtic, initially on loan. Establishing himself in the team, Maeda has since made numerous first team appearances and scored several goals across different seasons. Such is his impact, his transfer was made permanent in July 2022 for approximately £1.4m.
With Celtic, he's demonstrated his scoring prowess across numerous competitions. In the Champions League 2023 - 2024, he started four times, and also played in the League Cup 2024 -2025, scoring six goals in three starts. During his time at Celtic, he also demonstrated his abilities in the Scottish Cup 2024 - 2025, scoring five goals over three starts. Internationally, he represented Japan in the World Cup Qualifiers Asia 2024 -2026, scoring once over seven appearances. His contribution to Celtic was also felt in the Champions League 2024 - 2025, where he scored four goals in nine starts.
Despite a humble physique, Maeda's consistently outstanding performances on both the domestic and international front affirm his talent and dedication to the beautiful game.
