Daizen Maeda, born in Osaka on 20 October 1997 (age 28), is a Japan international and a current Celtic first-team player. Used primarily from the left, he wears squad number 38 and has become one of the more reliable fixtures in the side rather than a player who needs much explaining now.
His early career in Japan included loan football that helped harden up the sharp, direct running that later became his calling card. By 2021 he had put together his most productive league season with Yokohama F. Marinos, scoring 23 goals in 36 appearances, which was enough to make Celtic’s interest look rather more practical than speculative.
Maeda joined Celtic from Yokohama F. Marinos in January 2022. He arrived in time to be part of a Premiership-winning season and has since added further substance to his spell in Glasgow, winning three league titles, two League Cups and two Scottish Cups. His current market value is around £10m, according to Transfermarkt.
In 2025-26, he remains a regular presence. He has made 33 league appearances and scored 10 league goals, with further goals in both domestic cups, and has also been involved in Champions League qualifying and Europa League football. Across all competitions for Celtic this season, he has made 50 appearances and scored 12 goals. His form has been solid overall, with his recent outings running above his season level.
Maeda has also continued to feature for Japan, making seven appearances in Asian World Cup qualifying this season and scoring once. His Celtic career has been built on durability, movement and steady production, with enough edge in the final third to keep him relevant in a side that still asks plenty of its wide players.
