- Celtic have signed Yokohama F Marinos midfielder Tomoki Iwata. He joins the club on loan this January, and the deal will be made permanent next summer.
- Tomoki Iwata was the winner of the 2022 Japanese Player of the Year award.
- Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou described Iwata as a committed player with great attributes.
Celtic have reportedly completed the signing of Yokohama F Marinos defensive midfielder Tomoki Iwata.
Iwata will join the Scottish side on an initial loan deal this January. The deal will then be made permanent during the 2023 summer transfer window.
Celtic have signed Tomoki Iwata. Photo/ YouTube.
Speaking after the deal went through, Tomoki Iwata said that he was delighted to be joining Celtic. He described Celtic as a huge and successful club that is known all over the world.
“I really am delighted to be joining Celtic, such a huge and successful club known across the world. I can’t wait to begin my journey.” Tomoki Iwata told the club’s website.
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou described Iwata as a really committed player who possesses great attributes. The manager said that Iwata already has a good level of experience at his age.
Ange Postecoglou also spoke about Tomoki Iwata winning the Japanese Player of the Year award. He believes that the Japan international will add his quality to the talented Celtic squad.
Iwata is a very good player who can operate in defence or midfield.
“We really are delighted to be bringing Tomoki to Celtic. Tomoki Iwata is a really committed footballer with some great attributes. He is at a great age for us where his career is on the right trajectory, but he already has a good level of experience. He is very deserving of the accolade he has recently received as Japan’s player of the year, and we are sure he can also bring this real high level of quality to our squad.” Ange Postecoglou said, as per BBC.
Tomoki Iwata is the third signing Celtic have made in the January transfer window. The other two are Yuki Kobayashi and Alistair Johnston.
Who Is Tomoki Iwata?
Tomoki Iwata is the third signing Celtic have made in the January transfer window. Photo/ Daily Record.
Tomoki Iwata is the sixth signing Celtic have made from Japan. He was born in Oita, Japan, on April 7, 1997.
The Japan international began his football career in 2015 at Oita club, Oita Trinity. He was promoted to the senior team the following year.
After six years with Oita Trinity, Tomoki Iwata joined Yokohama F Marinos in 2020. He was arguably the best player in Yokohama’s squad as they won the J.League title this year.
Iwata’s impressive performance earned him the J.League Player of the Year award. He was also included in JLeague Best XI.
Tomoki Iwata also represents Japan’s national team. He made his debut in 2019 and was part of the team that featured in the Copa America played in Brazil.
However, Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu did not include Iwata in this year’s World Cup squad.
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