Tomoki Iwata has completed a permanent switch from Celtic to Birmingham City. The defensive midfielder departs after 21 months at Celtic Park, where he made 42 appearances, primarily under former manager Ange Postecoglou.
Iwata, who turned 27 in April, has signed a three-year contract with the English League One club. While his versatility saw him play in various positions, including center-back, his opportunities were limited from the start, and they continued to be so under current boss Brendan Rodgers, prompting the move.
Birmingham City, who have been quite active this transfer window, will likely benefit from Iwata's experience. He joins a team that has recently bolstered its ranks, including snapping up Tom Cannon on loan and solidifying their defense with the likes of Ben Davies and Christoph Klarer.
Iwata certainly held a certain amount of respect from the fans. Before coming to Celtic, Iwata led Yokohama F. Marinos to the 2022 J1 League title, after which he found himself in the Best XI of the season and was also voted Player of the Year. While never being able to consistently hold down a spot, most will be wishing him good luck at Birmingham City.
