Despite Reo Hatate and Kyogo initially looking like the best captures from Japan, the 28-year-old is arguably the one who has generated more of a legacy with his form over the past couple of seasons.
After winning player of the year awards during 2024/25, he had a quieter start to last season before bursting into life towards the end to help the club to a league and cup double.
As well as goalscoring prowess, his most redeeming qualities are his physicality and pressing ability.
His former boss was working as a pundit for coverage of Netherlands vs Japan at the World Cup and enthused about Maeda.
Postecoglou said: “Daizen Maeda, he’s a pressing machine. I worked with him, in terms of physical characteristics he’s absolutely elite.
“If the Dutch are sleeping on the ball today, he’ll close them down. Absolute freak of a physical specimen.
“His ability to close down the opposition, he’s got a real appetite for it. He’s just exceptional.”
Postecoglou was keeping a close eye during the title run in as Maeda hit form at just the right time.
He added: “His goalscoring towards the end, Martin put his arm around him and got the best out of him because he was going through a tough time.
“At the end of it he was unbelievable, he scored an unbelievable goal against Rangers, an overhead kick.
“That’s the freakish ability he has, not just from a physical perspective, but to score goals.
“Really looking forward to seeing him play tonight, because he won’t be daunted at all.
“He’s got that sort of nature about him, he doesn’t care who he’s playing against.
“He knows the physical capacity he has, he’ll match himself against anybody.”
