Daizen Maeda is a dynamic and relentless Celtic striker known for his blistering pace, tireless pressing, and goal-scoring ability.
Maeda joined Celtic in January 2022 on loan from Yokohama F. Marinos, and made his move permanent the following summer.
A product of Japan’s youth system, he has become a key figure for Celtic and the Japan national team, contributing to multiple titles and earning praise for his work rate.
His 2024–25 season has been his most prolific, with over 30 goals across all competitions.
So here is everything Celtic fans need to know about the speedy winger.
Daizen Maeda Celtic Player Profile
- Youth Career: Attended Yamanashi Gakuin High School, where he began his football development before joining Matsumoto Yamaga’s youth setup.
- Matsumoto Yamaga (2016–2019): Made his professional debut on February 28, 2016, and scored his first goal in an Emperor’s Cup match against Tokuyama University on August 28, 2016. Struggled for regular minutes, leading to loan spells.
- Mito HollyHock (Loan, 2017–2018): Scored 13 goals in 36 appearances in the J2 League, showcasing his potential as a versatile forward.
- Marítimo (Loan, 2019–2020): Loaned to the Portuguese Primeira Liga, making his debut against Sporting CP on August 11, 2019. Made 24 appearances, scoring 3 goals.
- Yokohama F. Marinos (2020–2021): Joined permanently after a loan spell, scoring 23 goals in the 2021 J1 League season to finish as joint-top scorer and earn a spot in the J-League Best XI. Worked under Ange Postecoglou, who later brought him to Celtic.
- Celtic (2022–Present): Signed on loan in January 2022, made permanent in May 2022 for £1.5m. Has made over 100 appearances, becoming a fan favorite for his relentless style and key goals in major competitions.
- International Career (Japan):
- Caps: 23 (as of March 2025)
- Goals: 4
- Debut: June 17, 2019, against Chile in the Copa América
- Notable Moments:
- Scored in Japan’s 1–1 draw against Croatia in the 2022 World Cup round of 16, though Japan exited on penalties.
- Represented Japan at the 2020 Olympics (held in 2021), scoring 1 goal in 4 appearances.
- Featured in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, helping Japan reach the quarter-finals.
- Played in Japan’s 2–1 win over Spain at the 2022 World Cup, aiding their group-stage advancement.
Daizen Maeda’s Celtic Debut
- Date: January 17, 2022
- Match: Celtic 2–0 Hibernian (Scottish Premiership)
- Details: Maeda made his Celtic debut at Celtic Park, scoring the opening goal in the 4th minute of a 2–0 victory over Hibernian. His rapid impact set the tone for his high-energy contributions, earning praise from Ange Postecoglou for his “electric” start.
Daizen Maeda’s Career Highlights
- Club Achievements:
- Celtic:
- Scottish Premiership: 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24
- Scottish Cup: 2022–23, 2023–24
- Scottish League Cup: 2021–22, 2022–23
- Contributed to Celtic’s eighth domestic treble in 2022–23.
- Yokohama F. Marinos:
- J1 League runner-up: 2021
- Qualified for AFC Champions League: 2021
- Celtic:
- Individual Awards:
- J-League Best XI: 2021 (joint-top scorer with 23 goals)
- PFA Scotland Players’ Player of the Year Nominee: 2024–25 (alongside teammates Callum McGregor and Nicolas Kühn, and Dundee’s Simon Murray)
- Named Celtic’s most valuable player in Scotland by some sources, with 45 goal contributions in the 2024–25 season.
- Notable Moments:
- Scored a hat-trick in a friendly against Yokohama F. Marinos on July 19, 2023.
- Became the first Celtic player since Henrik Larsson in 2004 to score in eight consecutive starts at Celtic Park, achieved against Kilmarnock on April 12, 2025.
- Scored crucial Champions League goals against Club Brugge and Bayern Munich in 2024–25, matching Henrik Larsson’s Celtic Champions League goal tally.
- Scored the winning penalty in the 2022–23 League Cup final, securing Celtic’s first silverware of the season.
- Blocked a clearance to score within 60 seconds against Rangers on April 7, 2024, in a 2–1 win.
Daizen Maeda’s Celtic salary and stats
- Wages: Estimated at £18,000 per week at Celtic. [Salary Sport]
- 2024–25 Season Stats (as of May 2025):
- League appearances: 34 (30 starts, 4 substitute appearances)
- Goals: 33
- Assists: 12
- Notable: His 45 goal contributions (goals and assists) made him Scotland’s most valuable player, per some reports.
- Transfer Rumors: Interest from Premier League clubs like Southampton in 2023 and speculation about European moves in 2025, though Maeda remains committed to Celtic.
