Celtic have made the loan signing of Tomoki Iwata permanent. The Scottish Champions announced the confirmation of the move in a low-key update across the club’s social media channels.
Iwata, who was the J-League MVP in 2022, made 18 appearances in the second half of the season as Celtic won a domestic Treble.
🍀Following his initial six-month loan spell, Tomoki Iwata is now a full time Celt!💚 https://t.co/nCZFNtvdlm pic.twitter.com/2zlb1pa8P1
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 13, 2023
Speaking to Celtic TV, Iwata said that he is looking forward to the new season as he looks to impress new boss Brendan Rodgers.
“I’m really looking forward to it. I came in last season and really felt how big a club this is and how great Celtic is during that six months.
“I feel that I need to lift up my level for the new season, so I’m looking forward to it but also, I want to prepare very well.
“I joined the team in the middle of the season. I felt that I settled well into the team but, personally, I wanted to help the team more.
“This season we will try to win the same titles. We’re aiming for more success and, within that, I want to perform well too.”
Iwata played between the centre of midfield before latterly filling in beside Carl Starfelt in Cameron Carter-Vickers’ absence. It was clear, however, that he was best utilised in the middle as opposed to at the back.
