DAIZEN MAEDA
Daizen Maeda joined Celtic FC during the 2022 January transfer window. Initially, the versatile forward arrived on loan, but with a compulsory purchase clause included, this led to him joining Celtic on a permanent basis from the summer of 2022.
Maeda made his Celtic Park debut on 17 January 2022, scoring within four minutes in a 2-0 league win over Hibernian. The speedy winger, known for his constant pressing and boundless energy would go to feature regularly in the Hoops during the 2021/22 season, helping Celtic lift the Scottish Premiership league title.
During the 2022/23 season, his first full campaign at Paradise, Daizen starred for the Bhoys scoring vital goals as the side lifted a historic eighth treble, clinching the SPFL title as well as the League Cup and Scottish Cup.
The Japanese international’s second season continued in a similar vein with his impressive form helping the team to a league and Scottish Cup double. His 10 goals and 4 assists included some vital goals such as the first after just 30 seconds in the crucial April 2024 Glasgow Derby.
In the 2021 season, Daizen Maeda was joint top scorer in the J-League with 23 goals as Yokohama F. Marinos finished second and qualified for the AFC Champions League, with the forward also named in the J-League Best XI of the 2021 season.
Speaking to Celtic TV just after he joined, Daizen Maeda said: “My strength is my speed so I would like to use my speed to attack opponents, and try to get as many goals as possible."
After a trophy-laden period at the club the winger signed a new contract in July 2023 which will see him remain at the club until June 2027.
COUNTRY BHOY
Daizen starred for Japan in the 2022 World Cup, scoring the opening goal in Japan's round of 16 tie against Croatia and starting all three matches he played in which eventually saw them exit the competition on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
He made his debut against Chile in June 2019, in 2022 was elected to represent Japan at the 2020 Olympic Games and more recently the forward featured for Japan in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup on their run to the Quarter Finals.
