Daizen Maeda was born in Osaka on 20 October 1997 (age 28) and came through in Japan before the move that brought him properly into Celtic’s orbit. Early loan football helped harden his game, and by the time he was at Yokohama F. Marinos he had become more than just a quick wide player. His 2021 league season, with 23 goals in 36 appearances, was the one that made the point plainly enough.
Celtic brought him in from Yokohama F. Marinos in January 2022. He arrived as a Japan international and a forward best used from the left, though his value to Celtic has often been as much about the work he forces on defenders as the work he finishes himself. That can be undersold, usually by people who prefer football to happen at a more leisurely pace.
Maeda has since become an important first-team player, wearing squad number 38 and collecting three Premiership titles, two League Cups and two Scottish Cups with Celtic. He has not always been the neatest footballer in the side, but his running, pressing and ability to stretch matches have made him difficult to leave out for long.
In 2025–26 he remains a regular presence, with 33 league appearances and 10 league goals, plus goals in both domestic cups. Across Celtic’s competitions this season he has made 50 appearances and scored 12 times, while also playing seven World Cup qualifiers for Japan and scoring once. His form has been solid overall, and his recent outings have been above his season level.
His market value is around £10m, according to Transfermarkt. Maeda’s career has moved from development football in Japan to a productive spell at Yokohama and then to a sustained role at Celtic, where he remains a relevant and trusted part of the current side.
