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Fullname: Maeda Daizen
aka: Daizen Maeda, ‘Duracell Maeda’
Born: 20 October 1997
Birthplace: Osaka, Japan
Signed: 1 January 2022 (loan with option to convert); 23 May 2022 (signed permanent, est £1.5m)
Left: –
Position: Left-side Winger, Midfielder, Forward
Debut: Celtic 2-0 Hibernian, League, 17 Jan 202 (and scored after just three minutes!)
Squad No.: 38
Internationals: Japan
International Caps: [TBC at end of career]
International Goals: [TBC at end of career]
Biog
“Meada plays like he has three lungs!”
Celtic Fans TV (Apr 2022)
On the back of the success of fellow compatriot Kyogo, Daizen Maeda was brought in as part of the Japanese transfer contingent to help boost Celtic’s title challenge in January 2022. He was brought in on loan to convert in the summer (which was duly done).
On first sight, he appeared a little small and physically could struggle in the Scottish game. However, what he lacked physically he made up with in stamina, skill and energy. A fine ball player, when on field he was a non stop terrier dog, always harrying the opposition and fighting to win the ball back. Although a constant criticism was his end goal often frustrating or weak.
His commitment and constant smile was to make him a popular figure. He also had an iconic post goal celebration of holding his hands to his mouth which was to be much aped, as well as made him many new friends.
He had an incredible debut, in which both he & Reo Hatate endeared themselves to the Celtic support with Hatate earning man of the match and Maeda opening the scoring against Hibs after only a few mins in a 2-0 win. It was a dream start.
From there he was non stop, and made a big difference to the team play as his style was entertaining to watch, as well as chipping in with some goals along the way. Most notably he was sublime v Sevco in the 2-1 victory away in April 2022, constantly harassing the opposition players with his non-stop efforts, and was unfortunate not to win a penalty in a valid claim. His heatmap for the game would have been pure red, he even popped up in defence to help out too! Even the official Durcacell batteries company twitter feed got posting on social media on this. As one CelticFansTV analyst (via their social media site) commented:
“Meada plays like he has three lungs!“
If any player epitomised Ange Postecoglou’s pre-season training mantra ‘we don’t stop’ it was Daizen Maeda.
Incredibly he was the only Celtic player from the Japanese contingent to make it to the world cup in Qatar in 2022. In their opener, he played a lone striker role in a shock 2-1 win v Germany. He had scored himself but the goal was ruled offside. His big moment of glory came when he scored the opener in the Round of 16 v Croatia (1-1 aet), only to then lose on penalties (he was subbed off before then). In the opposing side was fellow Celt Juranovic who in possibly the most touching moment of the tournament consoled his emotional colleague, which every Celt was humbled to see. Maeda was praised for his commitment and form across the board, and became one of the World Cup icons for Japanese football supporters.
Into his first full season, his effort and commitment never wavered, and you could argue that it was a measure of his professionalism that he gave his all in every game. As Celtic went on to win the domestic treble, Maeda had cemented for himself a cult status. His fellow countrymen, Kyogo and Hatate, may have been given the higher praise, but Maeda was truly loved too. His assists and tackles were invaluable in a season domestically that was won by the side who erred the least.
Any criticisms were relative to his colleagues, which was a high benchmark. Not necessarily as technically gifted as others, he made up for it with effort and tenacity.
Brendan Rodgers Era
“The reported £1m or so Celtic paid Yokohama F Marinos for Daizen Maeda in January 2022 ‘looks like the steal of the century!'”
Ex-Celt Chris Sutton. (Sep 2023 Daily Record)
Maeda might already have been a cult favourite across the support, but each season he seemed to just reach a higher level that endeared him further to the support. In this new regime, he admitted early on the big transition situation under the returning Brendan Rodgers taking over from Postecoglou, but despite that he still performed in much the same way as he had under his old manager. Even when Celtic hit a rut he was one of the few reliable players in the squad, an irreplaceable asset for the very thankful manager.
The only change to him during the season was his surprise deccsion to regrow his hair after having a shaved head for many years! Comically, it actually caused shock & mirth amongst the support.
He came to the fore in particular following a 3-0 home win v Livingston (Sep 2023) where his non-stop commitment to the side was the driving force for a comfortable victory, capped by a surprising long-range goal by Maeda, which led all to sing his praises.
A key highlight was scoring the opener after just 30 seconds v Sevco away in the league in a 3-3 draw (Apr 2024). This goal in some ways demonstrated his unique talent, as it was his harrying of Sevco’s captain James Tavernier who under pressure from Maeda panicked to clear the ball away only for it to ricochet off Maeda from the edge of the box into the net! Maeda later entertained the Celtic support in the same match (who were stuck watching on the box as away fans were barred) by doing a fancy balletic turn on the ball at one point. He gave his all, he entertained and he scored. You couldn’t ask for more.
He then inadvertently helped seal the league title when his attempted assist/cross v Sevco was turned into the net by Sevco’s Lundstrum for an own goal to give Celtic the lead, and Celtic went on to win 2-1 (May 2024). It was once again his harrying of their defence that led to the mistake, and across social media, commentators were humouring about how much Sevco’s much over-lauded captain Tavernier was having nightmares on his inability to handle Maeda on the run. His style was just unique, and was a handful for anyone on the wings.
Another personal highlight was a surprise and welcome hat-trick v Livingston in a 4-2 Scottish Cup win (Mar 2024) in what was his 100th appearance for the club. If anything, the 200th couldn’t come soon enough for everyone. Don’t let it fool you, but Celtic actually had to pull this one from the death, as Livingston actually fought back twice and almost took Celtic to extra-time, but Maeda had other plans and actually was close to scoring a fourth for himself at the death.
It almost came unstuck when after the 3-3 draw with Sevco (Apr 2024), when he frustratingly picked up a hamstring inury, and he was thought to be lost for the remaining final quarter of the season, a big loss for the side, but this is Maeda we are talking about. Daizan Maeda is the only guy in Scottish football that can get a season ending injury then come soon after. He was just physically incredible, or as some put it: “Maeda is so quick his hamstring healed before he pulled it!“.
As Celtic went on to win the League & Scottish Cup double, Maeda was overshadowed by certain other names, but he deserved praise too.
He was such an honest pro, you could see he was second guessing himself every time he got an opportunity although admittedly it was causing him on occasion to make wrong decisions but he continued to work his socks off every single time, and showed he had an end product.
He may not have had the command or orthodox skills of some of his fellow Japanese peers at Celtic, but in his own way he was still very valuable to Celtic, and had won a certain place in the hearts of every Celtic fan.
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Quotes
“Whose job is it to catch Maeda at the end of the match and switch him off?”
Twitter Witt
“Meada plays like he has three lungs!”
Celtic Fans TV (Apr 2022)
“Daizen is my friend and I congratulated him because he scored a goal in the World Cup and that is every player’s dream. But I also felt sad for him because he was crying. Football is about sportsmanship and I gave him a little kiss. He is a good friend of mine and he had such a good World Cup with Japan. I feel sad for him tonight, but happy for Croatia.”
Celtic and Croatia defender Josip Juranovic says he consoled his Celtic team-mate Daizen Maeda after Croatia reached the World Cup quarter-finals at Japan’s expense via a penalty shoot-out. (Dec 2022)
Daizen Maeda’s first half by numbers vs. Croatia: 100% duels won 100% tackle success 13 touches 4 touches in the opp. box 3 duels won 2 tackles made 1 foul won 1 shot 1 goal An incredible shift.
Sqwaka link
“He’s got such a strong mindset and it’s not just in his football, it’s in his effort. He’ll close people down and won’t get rewards but that won’t stop him closing people down – that filters through to his football as well.”
Ange Postecoglou on Daizen Maeda (Dec 2022)
“He’s a guy who just gives everything. I would never criticise him, the effort he puts in is just outstanding. He doesn’t go down as easy as others. That’s a credit to him.”
Ange Postecoglu on Maeda after he was sent v Hibs in 4-2 defeat (May 2023)
“He’s a constant menace. If you’re picking him up he’s always going to be making those runs, he’s always going to be in the areas he’s supposed to be – that’s why he gets his goals.”
Ange Postecoglou on Daizen Maeda (Feb 2023)
“The reported £1m or so Celtic paid Yokohama F Marinos for Daizen Maeda in January 2022 “looks like the steal of the century!”
Ex-Celt Chris Sutton. (Sep 2023, Daily Record)
“Celtic fans and supporters are unusually enthusiastic. Yeah, they’re really passionate as if they are crazy. I feel that the part is very different from J-League.”
Maeda (June 2023)
“When you have Daizen Maeda it’s not like playing with 10 men… he does the running of two guys! He’s unbelievable.”
Brendan Rodgers (Sep 2023)
“[Daizen Maeda is] power without control!”
Marca Spanish newspaper (Nov 2023)
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Playing Career
[Table to indicate clubs played for, including dates, transfers and fees where known [e.g. soccerbase table]]
| APPEARANCES (subs) |
LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 2021-22 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 22 |
| Goals | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 |
| 2022-23 | 35 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 49 |
| Goals | 8 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 11 |
| 2023-24 | 28 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 36 |
| Goals | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 2024-25 | |||||
| Goals | |||||
| Total | |||||
| Goals |
Honours with Celtic
(Honours are marked below in which the player has played in at least one of the matches in the campaign.)
Scottish League
Scottish Cup
Scottish League Cup
- 2022-23
- […]
Pictures
Forums
Notes
- The standard custom in the Far East is for the surname to come first, so note you may see in various reports his name written as Maeda Daizen, but in Europe the custom is to put it as Daizen Maeda. Maeda is his family surname.
- see Daizen Maeda to Celtic transfer fee labelled ‘highway robbery’ as Yosuke Ideguchi interest is questioned – Football Scotland
Articles
Celtic delighted to welcome three new signings
By Paul Cuddihy, Celtic View Editor
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2021/december/31/celtic-delighted-to-welcome-three-new-signings/
Celtic Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of three exciting new players from the Japanese J League.
Daizen Maeda from Yokohama F. Marinos, Yosuke Ideguchi from Gamba Osaka and Reo Hatate from Kawasaki Frontale will all be registered with Celtic in early January, subject to the usual conditions and international clearance.
The 24-year-old forward is reuniting with Ange Postecoglou at Celtic, having previously played under the manager at Yokohama F. Marinos. He had originally joined Yokohama F. Marinos on loan in August 2020 following a previous loan spell with Maritimo in the Portuguese league, and by the end of the season had impressed Ange Postecoglou enough that the deal became a permanent one. And 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. He was also named in the J-League Best XI of the 2021 season and has been capped twice for the Japan national side. Daizen will join Celtic initially on loan but with a compulsory purchase clause included, meaning he will be with Celtic on a permanent basis from the summer on a long-term deal.
YOSUKE IDEGUCHI
The 25-year-old midfielder began his career with Gamba Osaka, having come through their youth academy, and made his first-team debut in 2014. He spent a further four years with the club, winning the prestigious J-League ‘Rookie of the Year’ award in 2016, and it is from the same club that he joins Celtic, having re-signed for them back in 2019. In the intervening period, Yosuke Udeguchi joined Leeds United, before going out on loan, first to Cultural Leonesa in Spain and then Greuther Fürth in Germany. Yosuke Ideguchi has also been capped 15 times for Japan, scoring two goals for his country. He joins Celtic Football club on a four and a half year contract
REO HATATE
The versatile 24-year-old, who can play in a number of position, joins Celtic from Kawasaki Frontale, having helped them win the J-League for the second successive year. He was also named in the J-League Best XI of the 2021 season alongside his new Celtic team-mate, Daizen Maeda. Reo Hatate was also selected to represent Japan at the recent Olympic Games, held in the summer in Japan. And he helped his country reach the last four of the tournament, though they lost out in the bronze medal match to Mexico. Reo will also be joining Celtic on a 4 and a half year contract.
It is hoped all players will be joining up with the Celtic squad across the next few days.
A delighted Celtic manager, Ange Postecoglou, said: “We are really pleased to bring in these guys to Celtic and I think they are players who will excite our fans.
“I think in bringing all three to the club we are bringing even more quality, personality and energy to the squad to work with the players who have done so well for us already this season.”
“Clearly I am well aware of their attributes and I think in bringing all three to the club we are bringing even more quality, personality and energy to the squad to work with the players who have done so well for us already this season.
“They are all really at the peak of their careers, ambitious to achieve more success and I am sure at this particular time we will be getting their best years. I am delighted to have secured these players so early in the transfer window, I look forward to working with them and myself, my backroom team and the rest of the squad will be making sure we help them settle into Celtic as quickly as possible.”
Everyone at Celtic joins Ange in welcoming these new players to the Club.
Daizen Maeda: The attribute new Celtic striker says he will use to fire club to title
New Celtic signing Daizen Maeda says he will use his searing pace to help Celtic land the cinch Premiership title this season.
By Mark Atkinson
Saturday, 1st January 2022, 4:47 pm
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/daizen-maeda-the-attribute-new-celtic-striker-says-he-will-use-to-fire-club-to-title-3512576
Maeda has joined on loan from Yokohama F Marinos, where he previously worked with Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou, until the end of the season, with a compulsory buy-out clause inserted into the deal.
The 24-year-old, who has been capped two times by Japan, could make his debut for Celtic on January 17 against Hibs and says that his main strength will cause Scottish defences problems in the second half of the season.
“I know the manager from before so I’m really looking forward to working with him again,” said Maeda.
“He always plays attacking football so I’m looking forward to that style of football again.
“My strength is my speed so I’d like to use that to attack opponents and try to get as many goals as possible.
“All the Japanese players will try to be successful with Celtic –we want to try and get the title this season.
“Because of how well Kyogo Furuhashi is doing, and also in the past when Shunsuke Nakamura played for the club, there is a lot of interest in the club in Japan.
“I hope there will be more Celtic supporters in Japan now.”
Maeda continued on the Celtic website: “Kyogo has been playing really well and I think I’ll have to do even better than him to be successful.
“When I met him with the international team I asked him about Celtic and he was telling me lots of good things about the club. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Josip Juranovic reveals what he said to Celtic team-mate Daizen Maeda during emotional World Cup moment
Josip Juranovic took time out of Croatia’s celebrations following their World Cup win over Japan to console his Celtic team-mate Daizen Maeda on the pitch.
Matthew Elder
By Matthew Elder
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/josip-juranovic-reveals-what-he-said-to-celtic-team-mate-daizen-maeda-during-emotional-world-cup-moment-3943150
The Parkhead pals were on opposing sides in the last 16 clash with Maeda scoring for Japan only to suffer the heartbreak of a penalty shoot-out knock-out following the 1-1 draw at the Al Janoub Stadium in Qatar.
Right-back Juranovic, who played the full 120 minutes alongside fellow countryman and Rangers rival Borna Barisic, was seen making a beeline for Maeda shortly after full-time, before offering him a few words of comfort and planting a kiss on his forehead
“Daizen is my friend and I congratulated him because he scored a goal in the World Cup and that is every player’s dream,” Juranovic told Sportsmail afterwards.
“But I also felt sad for him because he was crying. Football is about sportsmanship and I gave him a little kiss.
“He is a good friend of mine and he had such a good World Cup with Japan. I feel sad for him tonight, but happy for Croatia.
“We made history tonight and now I have something I can say to my sons in the future that I did something beautiful.”
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Croatia now face Brazil in the quarter-finals on Friday with Juranovic looking to continue his record of having started every match of the tournament thus far for Zlatko Dalić’s side.
Barisic, meanwhile, started for the first time against Japan after being an unused sub throughout the group section, taking the place of the ill Borna Sosa at left-back.
Celtic’s Daizen Maeda hailed by BBC pundits after World Cup last-16 goal for Japan
Celtic striker Daizen Maeda has scored for Japan in their World Cup last-16 tie against Croatia.
Matthew Elder
By Matthew Elder
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtics-daizen-maeda-hailed-by-bbc-pundits-after-world-cup-last-16-goal-for-japan-3942658
The 25-year-old fired home in the 43rd minute to break the deadlock and put his nation on course for a possible first ever appearance in the quarter-finals.
Maeda was quickest to react when the ball dropped inside the six yard box from a corner kick as Japan took a one-goal lead into the interval.
Celtic team-mate Josip Juranovic and Rangers rival Borna Barisic both started for Croatia but Japan were well worth their lead, with Maeda’s performance in attack earning rave reviews from BBC pundits.
Former England defender Rio Ferdinand said: “He’s been an absolute livewire. I think it’s only his second international goal.
He’s looked like a man possessed up there.
“You wouldn’t want to play against that, H’es running around, making it difficult for you.
“With and without the ball he’s an absolute nuisance.
“In the first minute of the game he’s closed the keeper down. You know you’re in for it now.
“That’s the catalyst for the others to come from behind.”
Maeda also went close to scoring earlier in the half but he just failed to connect with a low ball across the near post.
“His movement to get across the front of [Dejan] Lovren was fantastic there,” Ferdinand added.
“Top drawer movement, [he] just didn’t have the final piece of the jigsaw there.
“What I like about him, he’s always on the move.”
Former England striker Alan Shearer was also impressed with Maeda’s contribution, adding: “He’s been a nightmare for them at the back, hasn’t he? He’s got too much energy for them.”
Daizen Maeda has proved his pedigree at this World Cup
By Paul Gillespie
5 December, 2022 No Comments
Japan’s forward #25 Daizen Maeda (C bottom) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16 football match between Japan and Croatia at the Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah, south of Doha on December 5, 2022. (Photo by François-Xavier MARIT / AFP) (Photo by FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT/AFP via Getty Images)
When the Japan squad was announced by Hajime Moriyasu, many wondered at the wisdom of him taking Daizen Maeda ahead of Kyogo Furuhashi and Reo Hatate. The basis of this was that out of the three he is supposedly our least best player. Daizen had come in for some flak at the start of the season, with many questioning Ange’s call to stick with the misfiring striker as he struggled in front of goal.
In Qatar, Dazien started nearly every game for Moriyasu up front and he did extremely well by all accounts. In the Germany match, it was his pressing that led to the equalizing goal for the Japanese and got them back on a level footing, so that they could go on and grab the winner. It was that game that arguably got them into the knockout stages of the World Cup this year.
Daizen was paramount to that; standing up to be counted when it mattered. When the pressure was on, the pacey front man had no problem in turning up for his country. Equally so, his goal today proved that he has quality and also the pedigree to hack it at the very top of the game. People often say that the World Cup is the pinnacle in football and that is where world-class players are made.
Well, Daizen Maeda has proven his credentials over this past few weeks in the most esteemed of company and so deserves nothing but praise. He also, when he’s at home at Celtic Park, deserves more respect and credit than he gets at the minute. I have a feeling after the doemtic footballing break is over, Celtic’s iron-man will have a big part to play in the rest of our season.
I for one can’t wait to see him back in the Hoops again.
Paul Gillespie
Chris Sutton rates Celtic star ‘steal of century’ in Didier Agathe comparison
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/chris-sutton-rates-celtic-star-steal-of-century-in-didier-agathe-comparison-4349050
Chris Sutton has compared Daizen Maeda to his former Celtic team-mate Didier Agathe as he described the Japanese forward as the “steal of the century”.
Matthew Elder
By Matthew Elder
Published 26th Sep 2023, 12:07 BST
Updated 26th Sep 2023, 12:07 BST
Comment
Celtic’s Daizen Maeda skips past Jamie Brandon during the 3-0 win over Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena. (Photo by Paul Devlin / SNS Group)
Celtic’s Daizen Maeda skips past Jamie Brandon during the 3-0 win over Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena. (Photo by Paul Devlin / SNS Group)
Former Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou signed Maeda for around £1million in the summer of 2022 on the back of successful five-month loan spell from Yokohama F.Marinos. The 25-year-old has scored 20 goals in 79 appearances for the Hoops but his value to the team is measured more in his relentless work-rate both in and out of possession.
Current boss Brendan Rodgers hailed his performance in the 3-0 win over Livingston on Saturday which saw Celtic overcome a first-half red card for goalkeeper Joe Hart with Maeda capping a superb individual display with a stunning goal to round off the victory in injury-time.
“When you have Daizen Maeda, it is not like playing with ten men,” Rodgers said. “He does the running of two men, he is absolutely incredible and I was so happy for him that he got his goal. He was so good on the day for us.”
Sutton, who spent six years at Celtic during his playing career, reckons Maeda is a modern-day version of Agathe, the Frenchman signed from Hibs for £50,000 in 2000 and who went on to become a hugely important figure in the Martin O’Neill side that won a treble and reached the final of the UEFA Cup.
Sutton told the Daily Record: “A lot of people will point to the £50,000 it cost to sign Didier Agathe being an incredible bit of business. But to land Maeda for just over a million looks like the steal of the century. He’s about three or four signings rolled into one. What a bit of business.
“I get the Agathe comparisons because sometimes the final ball is not quite there. But, like him, you simply cannot fault his phenomenal output and his worth to the team.
“Maeda’s team mates must love him – but opposition players will hate him. I know he was linked with a move to Tottenham, but I’m not sure how strong that interest was. There’s no doubt he would be a welcome addition to most sides. And obviously Ange Postecoglou knew what he was going to get when he brought him in.
“If you had 10 Maedas in the team you wouldn’t go wrong. He must be a total nightmare for defenders. He literally never stops. He was relentless for 90 odd minutes at Livingston and still had the power and pace to beat his man for his goal after giving him a head start.”