INTRODUTION

Naoki Maeda was raised at his home clubTokyo Verdy’sacademy since elementary school. As a promising prospect, he was registered to the top team and made debut in 2012 while still appearing in Verdy’s youth squads and immediately became a crucial factor of the top team.

In 2015 he joined Nagano-based side Matsumoto Yamaga. Here he experienced for the first time in his career a first division environment, but succeeded to become a crucial player here as well.

As a next step on his career ladder he went to the well-known Yokohama F.Marinos and continued developing as a key player.

In 2018 he made his Youth National Team debut participating in the Toulon Youth Tournament with other players of the same year’s Rio Olympic squad. 

Since he moved to Nagoya Grampus in 2018, he hugely contributed to the club remaining in the first division as a key player with his speciality of cuttiing in from the right wing and taking powerful shot with his left foot.

With a career high of 9 goals he became Nagoya’s top scorer in 2019 and constantly showed good performances throughout the season.

After 2021 season, He joined Eredivisie side, FC Utrecht from Nagoya Grampus on loan. After completing his loan spell with FC Utrecht in the summer of 2023, Naoki returned to Nagoya Grampus. Starting from the 2024 season, he made a permanent transfer to Urawa Reds, thereby changing the stage for his performances.

He is a skilled left-footed dribbler whose most remarkable trademark move is quick movement into the space behind the defensive line, fast cut-ins from the right wing and excellent finishing quality with composure in front of goal. 

Although an offensive player, Naoki also eagerly fulfills his defensive duties without hesitation to go the extra mile from box to box.