Maeda was born in Fukuoka on September 5, 1965. After graduating from Tokai University, he joined Japan Soccer League club All Nippon Airways (later "Yokohama Flügels") in 1988. In 1988/89 season, the club won the 2nd place and he was selected Best Eleven. In 1993, the club won Emperor's Cup. In Asia, the club won 1994–95 Asian Cup Winners' Cup and 1995 Asian Super Cup. He retired in 1996.