Biography
Who is Daizen Maeda?
Professional football beginnings
Daizen Maeda started his professional football path by signing with Matsumoto Yamaga in 2016. He made his debut for the club in February of that year. During his time there, he gained experience in the Japanese league system, including a loan spell at Mito HollyHock where he recorded 13 goals in a single season. This period of development helped him adapt to the physical demands of professional sports.
In 2019, he moved abroad to join the Portuguese club Maritimo on loan. He appeared in the Portuguese league and scored his first goal for the team against Tondela. Following this stint, he returned to Japan to play for Yokohama F. Marinos. He performed well there, eventually becoming the top scorer in the J1 League during the 2021 season with 23 goals. His success earned him a spot in the J.League Best XI.
Time with Celtic
Daizen Maeda joined the Scottish Premiership club Celtic on loan at the end of 2021. He made an immediate impact by scoring on his debut against Hibernian in January 2022. The club soon made the transfer permanent, and he signed a four-year contract. Over the following years, he became a central figure in the Celtic attack, winning multiple domestic trophies including several Scottish Premiership titles and Scottish Cup victories.
His performance during the 2024–25 season was particularly well-known as he scored over 30 goals. He found the net in the UEFA Champions League against teams like Slovan Bratislava and Borussia Dortmund. By April 2025, he achieved a milestone by scoring in eight consecutive starts at Parkhead. He concluded his time at the club by winning the 2025–26 league title and scoring in the Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline.
International career
He has represented the Japan national football team since 2019. His international debut occurred in June 2019 during a match against Chile. Daizen Maeda featured in major tournaments, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup where he started as a striker against Germany and scored a goal against Croatia in the round of 16. He also participated in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.
In 2026, he reached new milestones with the national team. He served as team captain for the first time during a friendly match against Scotland in March 2026. Later that year, he was included in the squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He scored a goal for Japan in a group stage draw against Sweden.
Playing style and physical attributes
Daizen Maeda is known for his high stamina and sprinting ability. Coaches have described his work rate as machine-like. While he is primarily used as a left winger, he possesses the tactical flexibility to operate in various attacking roles. This includes playing on the opposite flank, performing as an attacking midfielder, or functioning as a second striker.
He stands 173 centimeters tall. His conditioning allows him to sustain high-intensity pressure throughout matches, which has been a key factor in his selection for both club and country. His career statistics reflect consistent involvement in attacking plays across different leagues in Japan, Portugal, and Scotland.
Birthday and age
Daizen Maeda was born on October 20, 1997, which makes Daizen 29 years old today. That birthday falls under the Libra sign. Daizen shares the date with 48 other famous people.
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