Tomoki Iwata

Celtic Football Club is delighted to announce that it has signed Japanese Player of the Year and internationalist, Tomoki Iwata from Yokohama F Marinos, subject to international clearance.

Just last month, Tomoki was named the J League Player of the Year after a fantastic season for his club as they lifted the League Championship title in Japan.

The 25-year-old can play in a variety of midfield and defensive positions. He will join Celtic initially on loan but with a compulsory purchase clause included, meaning he will be with Celtic on a permanent basis from this summer, on a long-term deal.

Celtic manager, Ange Postecoglou said: “We really are delighted to be bringing Tomoki to Celtic and I am sure he will be a player that our supporters will like.

“He is a versatile player who can operate in defence in midfield, 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 has just had a brilliant season, 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.”

Tomoki said: “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 with Celtic.

'Everything about Celtic excites me - the scale of the club, the supporters, the atmosphere, the style of football which the club is famous for and of course working with the manager and players.'

“I am really looking forward to getting started, to meet my new team-mates and begin working on bringing our fans more and more success.”

 

Booom just like that welcome

 

Welcome sexy

 

Happy days

 

Brilliant. Welcome. We keep progressing. Love this club.

 

Going to watch Takeshi's Castle to celebrate.

 

Welcome, Tomoki. Absolutely delighted with this. If we are managing to move on both Ideguchi and Abildgaard this window and replacing them with J-League Player of the Year? Incredible business.

Thank you, Peter Lawwell.

 

Take me

 

We don't fuss about with transfers. For us, limitations such as transfer windows don't exist.

It'll be exciting to watch a guy faster than Maeda.

 

3 players in before the window has even opened and any players out, what a turn around Ange and Nicholson have done. Good times!

 

But I thought Peter Lawwell coming back to the club meant our swift transfer business would stop?


Welcome in big man, looking forward to seeing you in the hoops.

 

Nae * about, Celtic.

 

Delighted with this.

I love a Japanese signing.

 

Was Tomoki in Japan's world cup squad.?

 

No but played in the East Asian championship earlier in the year.

 

Another one

 

It has been decided that #Tomoki Iwata will transfer to Celtic FC. "I decided to transfer overseas, which was my dream. Thank you! The Marinos family is the best!!




We would like to inform you that Tomoki Iwata has decided to make a loan transfer (with purchase option) to Celtic FC.
The temporary transfer deadline is until June 9, 2023.




I decided to move overseas, which was my dream.
I am really glad that I came to Yokohama F. Marinos. I was able to win the league title, which was my goal before, and I can only thank my teammates, staff, fans and supporters.

Thank you! Marinos family is the best! !

I am not satisfied with this overseas transfer, and I would like to grow further from here!
There is still more to come.”




Birthplace/date of birth
Oita Prefecture / April 7, 1997 (age 25)

Height/weight/blood type
178cm/77kg/Type B

Career
Usa Municipal Yokkaichi Minami Elementary School (Yokkaichi Minami SSC) - Usa Municipal Seibu Junior High School (Oita Trinita U-15 Usa) - Oita Tomei High School (Oita Trinita U-18) - Oita Trinita - Yokohama F. Marinos

Official match appearance record (at the end of the 2022 season)
Total J1 League: 123 games 8 goals (66 games 2 goals)
J2 League total 32 games 0 goals
J3 League total 24 games 1 goal
Cup games total 11 games 1 goal (7 games 1 goal)
Emperor's Cup total 6 games 1 goal (2 games ) 0 points)
ACL total 7 games 0 points (all Yokohama F. Marinos)