Celtic have sold Tomoki Iwata to Birmingham City on deadline day. The 27-year-old joined Celtic in the January of 2022 on an initial loan before the move was made permanent from Yokohama F Marinos.
City have signed Iwata for an undisclosed fee as the player pens a three year deal with the side and looks to help them back to the Championship this season.
Tomoki Iwata has joined Birmingham City on a permanent transfer.
Best of luck, Tomoki! 🍀💚 https://t.co/3nldZG2zn4 pic.twitter.com/YLG3ABlJ3m
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 30, 2024
The departure of Ange didn’t help the ex-J League MVP make the desired impact at Celtic nor did injuries but he was reliable when he was called upon. Now, he’s completed a move from the club.
It’s #TimeForTomoki 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/b6M8dves3l
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) August 30, 2024
Birmingham are managed by Brendan’s former Assistant at Celtic, Chris Davies and the Welshman has likely leant on Brendan for some advice which has helped smooth the path for Tomoki to go to St Andrews Stadium.
The Blues, who play in EFL League One, have already signed Scotland Internationalist Lyndon Dykes as well as Scott Wright and Ben Davies.
Iwata made 42 appearances for Celtic, scoring once and assisting three times for the club. In that time, the Japanese defensive midfielder helped the club to five pieces of silverware, with two titles, two Scottish Cups and one League Cup.
Feel a bit disappointed about this. Always thought he was decent.
In my opinion Iwata is far superior to McCowan given more play time he would have progressed but the lad obviously wanted game time and it’s obvious he’s gone for over the £1m mark we’ve payed for McCowan who I feel will do what’s required coming on in the dieing moments of a game to give a midfielder a break as did Iwata