Naoki Maeda joined to J2 League club; Tokyo Verdy in 2012. In 2015, he moved to J1 League club; Matsumoto Yamaga. In 2016, he moved to Yokohama F. Marinos before rejoining Matsumoto in 2018. In January 2022 he was loaned to FC Utrecht of the Dutch Eredivisie on a six-month loan spell.[2] He made his debut on 16 January 2022 in a match against AFC Ajax starting on his debut and playing for 11 minutes before being forced off due to a broken leg following a tackle from Ajax’s Lisandro Martínez.[3] It was announced on 31 August 2022 that Utrecht signed Maeda on loan again for the 2022–23 season.[4]
On June 30 2023, it was announced that Maeda returns to Grampus following the end of loan spell at Utrecht. He is subsequently given number 25 shirt of the clubs' first-team.[5]
In January 2024, Maeda transferred to Urawa Red Diamonds ahead of the 2024 season.[6]