Daizen Maeda
A Japanese forward whose blistering pace and relentless pressing became a trademark for Celtic, energizing their attack and endearing him to fans.
Born 1997 (age 29)·Japanese footballer·Birthday: October 20·Generation Z
Biography
Daizen Maeda's football is built on a simple, devastating principle: pure, unadulterated speed. The Japanese striker first caught significant attention during a loan spell at Portuguese side Marítimo, but it was under Ange Postecoglou at Yokohama F. Marinos that his game found its purpose. There, he thrived in a high-pressing, aggressive system, using his pace not just as a weapon in behind defenses, but as a tool of defensive disruption. This made him a perfect fit for Postecoglou's Celtic, who signed him initially on loan in 2022. At Celtic Park, Maeda immediately became a cult hero. His work rate is non-negotiable; he sets the tone from the front, harrying defenders into mistakes and chasing lost causes. While his finishing can be erratic, his sheer force of will and ability to stretch games vertically have made him an indispensable part of a dominant Celtic side, contributing crucial goals in domestic and Champions League campaigns.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Daizen was born in 1997, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Daizen Was Born
The biggest hits of 1997
#1 Movie
Titanic
Best Picture
Titanic
#1 TV Show
ER
Daizen's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1997Born
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2002Started school
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2010Became a teenager
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2013Could drive
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2015Could vote
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2018Turned 21
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 29 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the J1 League Golden Boot in 2021 while playing for Yokohama F. Marinos.
- Has won multiple Scottish Premiership titles and domestic cups with Celtic.
- Scored a goal just 3 minutes and 30 seconds into his Celtic debut against Hibernian.
- Represented Japan at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
- Named to the J1 League Best XI for the 2021 season.
Did You Know?
He is known for being exceptionally fast, with his pace often cited as his primary attribute.
He previously played for Matsumoto Yamaga FC, where he was teammates with fellow Japan international Yuta Toyokawa.
His older brother, Naoki Maeda, is also a professional footballer in Japan.
He scored a hat-trick in the 2023 Scottish League Cup final for Celtic.
“My only thought is to reach the ball first, no matter where it is.”
