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.
He was also selected to represent Japan at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar where he started all three matches he played in and scored a crucial goal against Croatia in the last 16 clash.
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.
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
Diazen has been capped for the Japan national side, making his debut against Chile in June 2019. In 2022 he was elected to represent Japan at the 2020 Olympic Games where he made three substitute appearances, scoring a goal against France.
He starred for his country in the 2022 World Cup, scoring the opening goal in Japan's round of 16 tie against Josip Juranović's Croatia which eventually saw them exit the competition on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
