Transfer Centre

Celtic complete signing of J. League Player of the Year Tomoki Iwata

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 30 December 2022

Celtic announce the arrival of Japan international and J. League Player of the Year Tomoki Iwata from Yokohama F Marinos, subject to international clearance.

Celtic have announced the arrival of Japan international Tomoki Iwata from Yokohama F Marinos, subject to international clearance.

The 25-year-old will join the Scottish Premiership champions on an initial loan deal from January 1 before making his move permanent in the summer of 2023 on a long-term deal.

Iwata was named J. League Player of the Year in November after helping Yokohama F Marinos win their seventh top-flight title, featuring 32 times as either a centre-back or defensive midfielder.

Iwata will become Celtic's third signing of the January transfer window after right-back Alistair Johnston and defender Yuki Kobayashi, the latter of whom arriving from fellow Japanese outfit Vissel Kobe.

Speaking to the club's official website on his arrival at Parkhead, Iwata 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.

🆕✍️ #WelcomeTomoki

We are delighted to announce the signing of current J-League Player of the Year and Japanese international Tomoki Iwata.

Welcome to #CelticFC, Tomoki! 🍀🇯🇵
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) December 30, 2022

"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."

Manager Ange Postecoglou added: "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 and 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.

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou applauds fans after the match on March 2, 2022 © Reuters

"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."

Iwata began his career with boyhood club Oita Trinita where he spent four years and made a total of 121 appearances before moving to Yokohama F Marinos in November 2021, five months after Postecoglou left the club to become Celtic manager.

The versatile lynchpin went on to feature 82 times in all competitions for the Marinos and now leaves the club after winning the first piece of silverware of his career.

Iwata will link up with fellow Japanese players Kobayashi, Reo Hatate, Yosuke Ideguchi, Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi, who have all been signed by Celtic since Postecoglou took the reins.