Daizen Maeda was born in Osaka on 20 October 1997 (age 28) and came through a Japanese career path that included loan spells before he properly caught fire at Yokohama F. Marinos. His 2021 league season there was the clear breakout: 23 goals in 36 appearances, the sort of output that made his next move feel less like a punt and more like Celtic acting early.
Celtic brought him in from Yokohama F. Marinos in January 2022. Maeda was never a decorative winger. His value was in the running, pressing and awkwardness he brought to matches, with enough end product to make him more than just a nuisance. During his Celtic spell he won four Premiership titles, two League Cups and two Scottish Cups, a return that reflects his place in a side that kept collecting while he kept working.
He left Celtic in July 2026 for Ipswich Town in a deal worth around £10m. In 2026-27 he has made five appearances for Ipswich across all competitions, including four in the Premier League and one in the League Cup. He has also remained involved with Japan, with three World Cup appearances and a goal, plus seven appearances in Asian World Cup qualifying with another goal.
Now primarily used from the left for Ipswich, Maeda remains a Japan international with a current market value of around £11m, according to Transfermarkt. His career has run from development loans to a prolific Yokohama season, a trophy-heavy Celtic period, and then a move into English football.
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