Daizen Maeda

In 2016, Maeda joined Matsumoto Yamaga FC. He got his J-League debut on 28 February 2016.{{Cite web|title=前田 大然：横浜Ｆ・マリノス：Ｊリーグ.jp|url=https://www.jleague.jp/player/1600186/|access-date=6 November 2021|website=Ｊリーグ.jp（日本プロサッカーリーグ）|language=ja|archive-date=6 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106173203/https://www.jleague.jp/player/1600186/|url-status=dead}} It was on 28 August 2016, that he scored his first goal as a professional in an Emperor's Cup game against Tokuyama University.{{Cite web|title=【公式】松本vs徳山大の選手コメント（天皇杯：2016年8月28日）：Ｊリーグ.jp|url=https://www.jleague.jp/match/emperor/2016/082807/player/|access-date=6 November 2021|website=Ｊリーグ.jp（日本プロサッカーリーグ）|language=ja}}

After his loan spell at Mito, he struggled for regular playing time and was loaned to the Portuguese club, Maritimo in 2019.{{Cite web|date=21 July 2019|title=前田大然選手CSマリティモ（ポルトガル）へ期限付き移籍のお知らせ|url=https://www.yamaga-fc.com/archives/180011|access-date=6 November 2021|website=松本山雅FC|language=ja}} He left the club in 2021 after his loan with Yokohama F. Marinos was made permanent.

Maedan joined Mito HollyHock on a loan deal from February 2017 until January 2018.{{Cite web|date=6 January 2017|title=前田大然選手 水戸ホーリーホックへ期限付移籍のお知らせ|url=https://www.yamaga-fc.com/archives/82060|access-date=6 November 2021|website=松本山雅FC|language=ja}} He ended the season while scoring 13 goals.{{Cite web|title=Summary - J2 League - Japan - Results, fixtures, tables and news - Soccerway|url=https://ng.soccerway.com/national/japan/j2-league/2017/regular-season/r39745/|access-date=6 November 2021|website=ng.soccerway.com}}

On 11 August 2019, he made his debut in the opening round of Portuguese League against Sporting CP when he came on as a substitute in the 57th minute.{{Cite web|title=Marítimo vs. Sporting Lisbon - 11 August 2019 - Soccerway|url=https://ng.soccerway.com/matches/2019/08/11/portugal/portuguese-liga-/maritimo-funchal/sporting-clube-de-portugal/3064646/|access-date=6 November 2021|website=ng.soccerway.com}}{{Cite web|title=ポルトガルデビュー前田大然惜しい!ダイビングヘッドがポスト直撃|url=https://web.gekisaka.jp/news/detail/?281993-281993-fl|access-date=6 November 2021|website=ゲキサカ|date=12 August 2019 |language=ja}}

On 25 August 2019, Maeda scored his debut goal in a 3–2 loss to CD Tondela.{{Cite web|title=Marítimo vs. Tondela - 25 August 2019 - Soccerway|url=https://ng.soccerway.com/matches/2019/08/25/portugal/portuguese-liga-/maritimo-funchal/cd-tondela/3064664/|access-date=6 November 2021|website=ng.soccerway.com}}{{Cite web|title=前田大然が今季初ゴール マリティモ本拠３失点敗戦 - ポルトガルリーグ : 日刊スポーツ|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/soccer/world/news/201908260000051.html|access-date=6 November 2021|website=nikkansports.com|language=ja}}

In August 2020, he was loaned to Yokohama F. Marinos.{{Cite web|title=前田大然選手 期限付き移籍加入のお知らせ {{!}} ニュース|url=https://www.f-marinos.com/news/category/5/7092|access-date=6 November 2021|website=横浜F・マリノス 公式サイト|language=ja}} He scored his first goal after the transfer in the match against Shimizu S-Pulse on 19 August, and contributed to the team's first victory in three games.{{Cite web|title=横浜 3試合ぶりの白星 初先発のジュニオール・サントスが2発 大然も初得点 - スポニチ Sponichi Annex サッカー|url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/news/2020/08/19/kiji/20200819s00002179524000c.html|access-date=6 November 2021|website=スポニチ Sponichi Annex|language=ja}}{{Cite web|title=Shimizu S-Pulse vs. Yokohama F. Marinos - 19 August 2020 - Soccerway|url=https://ng.soccerway.com/matches/2020/08/19/japan/j1-league/shimizu-s-pulse/yokohama-f-marinos/3279269/|access-date=6 November 2021|website=ng.soccerway.com}}

By the end of the season, the deal was made permanent.{{Cite web|author1=FromOne co., Ltd|title=横浜FM、松本からFW前田大然を完全移籍で獲得！ DF前貴之の完全移籍も発表|url=https://www.soccer-king.jp/news/japan/jl/20201225/1158334.html|access-date=6 November 2021|website=サッカーキング|date=25 December 2020 |language=ja}} On 7 March 2021, he scored a brace against Sanfrecce Hiroshima{{Cite web|last=INC|first=SANKEI DIGITAL|date=8 March 2021|title=横浜Ｍ・前田大然が２発！開幕連敗危機救った「まずはチームでしっかり結果を残す」|url=https://www.sanspo.com/article/20210308-JTCDWR3SL5JILINSSJRRQHNXQI/|access-date=6 November 2021|website=サンスポ|language=ja}}{{Cite web|title=Yokohama F. Marinos vs. Sanfrecce Hiroshima - 7 March 2021 - Soccerway|url=https://ng.soccerway.com/matches/2021/03/07/japan/j1-league/yokohama-f-marinos/sanfrecce-hiroshima/3443002/|access-date=6 November 2021|website=ng.soccerway.com}} and continued his prolific run of form on 17 March, scoring four goals in one game against Tokushima Vortis.{{Cite web|title=J1得点ランク首位に立った横浜FM前田大然、代表招集に意気込み「その場で活躍することが大事」|url=https://web.gekisaka.jp/news/detail/?326559-326559-fl|access-date=6 November 2021|website=ゲキサカ|date=17 March 2021 |language=ja}}{{Cite web|title=Yokohama F. Marinos vs. Tokushima Vortis - 17 March 2021 - Soccerway|url=https://ng.soccerway.com/matches/2021/03/17/japan/j1-league/yokohama-f-marinos/tokushima-vortis/3449199/|access-date=6 November 2021|website=ng.soccerway.com}} On 25 September 2021, with a goal against Yokohama FC, Maeda became the top scorer in the J1 League.{{Cite web|title=Yokohama vs. Yokohama F. Marinos - 25 September 2021 - Soccerway|url=https://ng.soccerway.com/matches/2021/09/25/japan/j1-league/yokohama-fc/yokohama-f-marinos/3449439/|access-date=6 November 2021|website=ng.soccerway.com}}{{Cite web|title=【データ】横浜前田大然ゴールで得点単独首位！日本人16点以上は18年ぶり - Ｊ１ : 日刊スポーツ|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/soccer/news/202109250001206.html|access-date=6 November 2021|website=nikkansports.com|language=ja}} On 6 November against FC Tokyo, he scored his second hat-trick of the season to keep his spot in the top scorers' ranking.{{Cite web|last=McKay|first=Gabriel|date=6 November 2021|title=Celtic target Daizen Maeda bags brilliant hat-trick|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/daizen-maeda-sends-celtic-transfer-25393240|access-date=6 November 2021|website=Daily Record|language=en}} In addition to being named in the J.League Best XI at the end of the season, Maeda was also co-J.League Top Scorer with Leandro Damiao of Kawasaki Frontale, who had equalled his total of 23 goals for the campaign.{{Cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2021/12/07/soccer/j-league/2021-jleague-awards-damiao/|title=Joint-top scorer Leandro Damiao named MVP in Frontale-centric Best XI|date=7 December 2021|access-date=3 January 2022|archive-date=24 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124085736/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2021/12/07/soccer/j-league/2021-jleague-awards-damiao/|url-status=dead}}

File:2023.07.19 Yokohama F. Marinos - Celtic Glasgow (6-4) - 53063131949.jpg

On 31 December 2021, it was announced that Maeda had signed for Scottish Premiership club Celtic on loan for the rest of the season, with an obligation to buy at the end of the loan.{{cite web|url=https://www.celticfc.com/news/2021/december/31/celtic-delighted-to-welcome-three-new-signings/|first=Pauk|last=Cuddihy|date=31 December 2021|work=Celtic F.C.|title=Celtic delighted to welcome three new signings}} On 17 January 2022, Maeda made his debut for Celtic and scored his first goal in the 4th minute, in a league fixture against Hibernian at Celtic Park. Maeda signed a four-year contract with Celtic at the end of the season, when his move was made permanent.{{Cite web |title=Celtic sign loan-star Daizen Maeda on permanent deal |url=https://news.stv.tv/sport/celtic-seal-permanent-signing-of-japan-international-forward-daizen-maeda |access-date=23 May 2022 |website=STV Sport |first=Peter |last=Cassidy|date=23 May 2022 }}

On 6 September 2022, Maeda came on as a half-time substitute for Liel Abada to make his UEFA Champions League debut in a 3–0 home defeat against Real Madrid.{{Cite web |title=Celtic 0-3 Real Madrid |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/celtic-vs-real-madrid/teams/477352 |last=Conroy |first=Alison |date=7 September 2022 |website=Sky Sports |access-date=2 January 2023 |language=en}} On 2 January 2023, he scored the opening goal in a 2–2 draw at Rangers.{{cite news |title=Rangers 2-2 Celtic: Kyogo Furuhashi's late strike maintains nine-point lead over Old Firm rivals |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12776846/rangers-2-2-celtic-kyogo-furuhashis-late-strike-maintains-nine-point-lead-over-old-firm-rivals |last=Conroy |first=Alison |date=2 January 2023 |website=Sky Sports |access-date=2 January 2023 |language=en}} His form at this time saw Premier League side Southampton monitor him.{{Cite web |title=Southampton monitoring Daizen Maeda while Celtic make £3m bid for South Korea striker Gue-Sung Cho |url=https://www.skysports.com/transfer/news/12691/12782334/daizen-maeda-southampton-monitoring-celtic-forward-as-nathan-jones-looks-to-bolster-attacking-options |last1=McAdam |first1=Mark |last2=Joseph |first2=Anthony |date=10 January 2023 |website=Sky Sports |access-date=10 January 2023 |language=en}}

On 6 July 2023, Maeda signed a new four-year contract with Celtic, keeping him at the club until 2027.{{Cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11787/12916395/kyogo-furuhashi-celtic-forward-signs-new-four-year-deal-at-scottish-premiership-champions|title=Celtic winger Maeda signs new four-year deal|last=Conroy|first=Alison|date=6 July 2023|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=6 July 2023}}

Maeda had his most prolific season during 2024–25, scoring over 30 goals, with his form particularly picking up from January.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/ce8gyxk26xjo|title=Rodgers explains reasons behind Maeda's development|date=5 April 2025|website=BBC Sport}} He scored his first Champions League goal against Slovan Bratislava, and scored a further three against Borussia Dortmund, Club Brugge and Bayern Munich.{{cite news|url=https://celtsarehere.com/daizen-maeda-surpasses-celtic-legends-with-champions-league-record/|title=Daizen Maeda Surpasses Celtic Legends With Champions League Record|date=12 February 2025|work=Celts Are Here|accessdate=14 April 2025}} This put him level with Shinji Kagawa and Takumi Minamino for most goals by a Japanese player in the Champions League.{{cite news|url=https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/sport/24934547.maeda-reaches-elite-japanese-champions-league-landmark/|title=Maeda joins elite Japanese Champions League club with goal vs Bayern Munich|date=13 February 2025|website=Glasgow Times|accessdate=14 April 2025}} It also made him the first player to score four goals for Celtic in UEFA competition since Joe Craig in the 1977–78 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.footballfancast.com/former-celtic-striker-gary-hooper-joins-eighth-tier-club/|title=Celtic once had the 'best striker' after Larsson, now he's in the 8th tier|last=Gray|first=Ben|date=14 February 2025|website=FootballFanCast|accessdate=14 April 2025}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cj020181gvno|title=Bayern Munich v Celtic (2-1 agg): Pick of the stats|date=17 February 2025|website=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 April 2025}}

Upon scoring against Kilmarnock on 12 April 2025, he became the first Celtic player to score in eight consecutive starts at Parkhead since Henrik Larsson in 2004.{{cite tweet|user=ScotlandSky|author=Sky Sports Scotland|number=1911023026180596183|title=😮‍💨 Maeda makes it TWO!
He's now scored on his last eight starts at Celtic Park - the first to do so since Henrik Larsson! ⤵️|accessdate=14 April 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://celtsarehere.com/daizen-maeda-equals-henrik-larsson-record/|title=Daizen Maeda Equals Henrik Larsson Record|first=Michael|last=Shearer|date=12 April 2025|work=Celts Are Here|accessdate=14 April 2025}} Celtic fans also began singing Maeda's name to the tune of "Tequila" by the Champs.{{cite news|url=https://onefootball.com/en/news/daizen-maeda-thanks-celtic-support-for-wonderful-song-40813728|title=Daizen Maeda thanks Celtic support for 'wonderful' song|date=9 March 2025|website=OneFootball|accessdate=14 April 2025}}

Maeda was named as one of four nominees for the 2024–25 PFA Scotland Players' Player of the Year, alongside teammates Callum McGregor and Nicolas Kühn, and Dundee striker Simon Murray.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cg7245y77yxo|title=Celtic trio and Murray vie for player of the year|date=28 April 2025|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=1 May 2025}}

On 24 May 2019, Maeda was called by Japan's head coach Hajime Moriyasu to feature in the Copa América played in Brazil.{{cite web|url=http://www.jfa.jp/eng/news/00021323/|title=SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) Squad, Schedule - CONMEBOL Copa America Brazil 2019 (6/14–7/7)|publisher=JFA|date=24 May 2019}} He was also the first Matsumoto Yamaga player to ever feature for the senior side. He made his debut on 17 June 2019 in the game against Chile, as a starter.{{cite web|publisher=CONMEBOL|url=http://estadisticas.conmebol.com/html/v3/index.html?channel=deportes.futbol.copaamerica.462516&lang=es_LA|title=Japan v Chile game report|date=17 June 2019}}

In Japan's 2022 World Cup game against Germany, Maeda was placed as starting striker. He was substituted in the 57th minute by Takuma Asano. Japan advanced out of the group stage after beating Spain 2–1. On 5 December 2022, Maeda scored a goal in the 43rd minute to put Japan in front during the round of 16 game against Croatia which eventually ended 1–1, with Japan crashing out after their defeat on penalties.{{cite news|url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtics-daizen-maeda-hailed-by-bbc-pundits-after-world-cup-last-16-goal-for-japan-3942658|title=Celtic's Daizen Maeda hailed by BBC pundits after World Cup last-16 goal for Japan|last=Elder|first=Matthew|date=5 December 2022|work=The Scotsman|accessdate=14 April 2025}}

Along with his Celtic teammate Reo Hatate, Maeda was called up to the Japanese squad for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar.{{cite news|url=https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup/news/mitoma_named_in_japan_squad.html|title=Mitoma named in Japan squad|date=1 January 2024|publisher=Asian Football Confederation|accessdate=14 April 2025}}

Though primarily and initially used by both Matsumoto Yamaga and Yokohama F. Marinos as a left winger, Maeda is able to operate in a number of positions as a forward, including on the opposite flank, as an attacking midfielder or occasionally a second striker. Regarding his stamina and conditioning, former coach John Hutchinson referred to Maeda as a "machine", while Arthur Papas, who also coached Maeda during his time at Yokohama, hailed his pace and sprinting.{{cite news|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/19825227.celtic-star-daizen-maeda-attribute-will-terrify-defenders-outlined-world-coaches/|title='Like nothing I've seen' - World coaches outline Celtic new boy Maeda's attribute that will terrify defenders|last=Irvine|first=David|date=5 January 2022|work=The Herald}}

{{updated|match played 24 May 2025}}Nippon Sports Kikaku Publishing inc./日本スポーツ企画出版社, [https://www.amazon.co.jp/J1-J3%E9%81%B8%E6%89%8B%E5%90%8D%E9%91%91%E3%83%8F%E3%83%B3%E3%83%87%E3%82%A3%E7%89%88-2018-NSK-MOOK/dp/4905411521 "J1&J2&J3選手名鑑ハンディ版 2018 (NSK MOOK)"], 7 February 2018, Japan, {{ISBN|978-4905411529}} (p. 183 out of 289)Nippon Sports Kikaku Publishing inc./日本スポーツ企画出版社, [https://www.amazon.co.jp/2017-J1-J3%E9%81%B8%E6%89%8B%E5%90%8D%E9%91%91-NSK-MOOK/dp/4905411424/ref=pd_sim_14_1/356-9491148-0114816?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=BA8BN4Y0F97GNWKQM78H "2017 J1&J2&J3選手名鑑 (NSK MOOK)"], 8 February 2017, Japan, {{ISBN|978-4905411420}} (p. 205 out of 289)

{{notelist}}

{{updated|match played 25 March 2025}}{{NFT player}}

Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first.

Matsumoto Yamaga

• J2 League: 2018

Celtic

• Scottish Premiership: 2021–22,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61316038|title=Dundee United 1–1 Celtic: Ange Postecoglou's side reclaim league title|work=BBC Sport|date=11 May 2022|access-date=12 May 2022}} 2022–23,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65439690 |title=Heart of Midlothian 0–2 Celtic: Ange Postecoglou's side seal back-to-back titles |first=Martin |last=Watt |work=BBC Sport |date=7 May 2023 |access-date=7 May 2023}} 2023–24,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cjk4dn8732jt|title=Celtic champions after thumping win at Kilmarnock|work=BBC Sport|date=15 May 2024|access-date=16 May 2024}} 2024–25{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/apr/26/celtic-win-55th-scottish-league-title|title=Brendan Rodgers ‘200% staying’ after Celtic clinch 55th Scottish league title|first=Guardian|last=sport|date=26 April 2025|via=The Guardian}}
• Scottish Cup: 2022–23,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65730831 |title=Celtic 3–1 Inverness CT: Ange Postecoglou's side win Scottish Cup to claim treble |first=Thomas |last=Duncan |work=BBC Sport |date=3 June 2023 |access-date=3 June 2023}} 2023–24{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/celtic-leave-it-late-beat-rangers-win-scottish-cup-2024-05-25/ |title=Celtic leave it late to beat Rangers and win Scottish Cup |publisher=Reuters |date=May 25, 2024 |access-date=December 9, 2024}}
• Scottish League Cup: 2022–23,{{Cite news |last=Moffat |first=Colin |date=26 February 2023 |title=Kyogo strikes twice as Celtic beat Rangers in final |language= |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64688959 |access-date=26 February 2023}} 2024–25{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cdd6e6yrr04t#Line-ups |title=Celtic 3–3 Rangers: Line-ups |website=BBC Sport |date=15 December 2024 |access-date=15 December 2024}}

Individual

• J.League Top Scorer: 2021
• J.League Best XI: 2021
• PFA Scotland Players' Player of the Year: 2024–25
• PFA Scotland Team of the Year (Premiership): 2024–25

{{Reflist}}

• {{CelticFC|players/daizen-maeda}}
• {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330143938/http://www.yamaga-fc.com/club/player/2018-daizen-maeda-5 |date=30 March 2018 |title=Daizen Maeda at Matsumoto Yamaga }}
• {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231172141/http://www.mito-hollyhock.net/team/topteam/2017_p_38_maeda/ |date=31 December 2017 |title=Daizen Maeda at Mito HollyHock }}
• {{J.League player|19175}}
• {{NFT player|74628}}

{{Celtic F.C. squad}}

{{Navboxes

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{{Japan squad 2019 Copa América}}

{{Japan men's football squad 2020 Summer Olympics}}

{{Japan squad 2022 FIFA World Cup}}

{{Japan squad 2023 AFC Asian Cup}}

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{{Navboxes

| title = Awards

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| list =

{{PFA Scotland Players' Player of the Year}}

{{SFWA Footballer of the Year}}

{{J1 League top scorers}}

{{2021 J.League Team of the Year}}

{{2024–25 PFA Scotland Scottish Premiership Team of the Year}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Maeda, Daizen}}

Category:1997 births

Category:Living people

Category:Association football people from Osaka Prefecture

Category:Japanese men's footballers

Category:Men's association football forwards

Category:Japan men's international footballers

Category:J1 League players

Category:J2 League players

Category:Primeira Liga players

Category:Matsumoto Yamaga FC players

Category:Mito HollyHock players

Category:C.S. Marítimo players

Category:Yokohama F. Marinos players

Category:Celtic F.C. players

Category:Footballers at the 2018 Asian Games

Category:Asian Games silver medalists for Japan

Category:Asian Games medalists in football

Category:Medalists at the 2018 Asian Games

Category:2019 Copa América players

Category:2022 FIFA World Cup players

Category:2023 AFC Asian Cup players

Category:Footballers at the 2020 Summer Olympics

Category:Olympic footballers for Japan

Category:Japanese expatriate men's footballers

Category:Japanese expatriate sportspeople in Portugal

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Portugal

Category:Japanese expatriate sportspeople in Scotland

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Scotland