Tomoki Iwata

https://keepup.com.au/news/what-can-celtic-fans-expect-from-j1-league-mvp-tomoki-iwata

Tomoki Iwata is the reigning J1 League MVP but “this is only the beginning”, Kevin Muscat warned as the Japanese star embarks on his first European adventure with Celtic.

Iwata is the latest Japanese player to make the move to Scottish champions Celtic after Ange Postecoglou returned to the J1 League to raid his former club Yokohama F.Marinos, where he originally signed the versatile 25-year-old in December 2020.


A four-time Japan international, Iwata soared to new heights under F.Marinos head coach Muscat in 2022 – crowned the league’s best player after helping the Yokohama outfit to glory for the first time since Postecoglou ended their 15-year drought in 2019.



Title-winning boss Muscat is expecting big things from his former star, who can play in midfield or defence.

“This is only the beginning for Tomoki and he has a huge upside,” A-Leagues legend and former Socceroo Muscat told KEEPUPafter losing Iwata to his mentor and friend Postecoglou.

“It’s great to see him rewarded with this opportunity. He is someone that his team-mates will admire as he always puts the team first.”




Iwata’s big switch to Celtic represents a rise through the ranks of Japanese football.

In 2016, he was playing in the J3 League – Japan’s third tier – with boyhood club Oita Trinita.

Iwata eventually ticked off the J2 League and then J1 before Postecoglou’s Marinos came calling at the end of the 2020 season.

He took his game to another level in Muscat’s first full season at the helm this past campaign.

Iwata made 32 league appearances, with 51 tackles, 43 aerial duels won, 53 blocks, seven interceptions, 97 recoveries, two goals, one assist and 22 chances created.


Iwata also had a top speed of 35.2 – joint fourth-highest across the competition (35.7 was the best).

Deployed as a centre-back this term, Iwata is expected to operate in a Celtic midfield that already boasts the likes of captain Callum McGregor, Australia international Aaron Mooy,Matt O’Riley and fellow Japan midfielder Reo Hatate.

“People will identify his remarkable physical presence in the form of strength, speed and endurance, and his versatility as his biggest strengths,” Muscat said.

“He is an unbelievable athlete. And he is reliable, unfazed and disciplined.”



Muscat added: “His biggest attributes are desire and mentality.

“Without this mentality you don’t perform in different positions at the level he does.

“His desire to work relentlessly to improve is driven from his mentality.”

 

Excited to see him, sounds like my kind of player.

 

I do know what compulsory means. But we don't have the finer details of the agreement. It could be compulsory for us to purchase the player, and Yokohama to sell at the agreed price, as long as Iwata is happy to stay. But it does look more likely that it's an accounting thing, and the deal is compulsory for the player too.

Don't feel compelled to reply.

 

Could he be on the bench today?

 

From Japan probably not

 

Oh * yeh hahaha

 

Probably be a couple of games before he’s involved

 

Looking forward to seeing him play. Wonder when he will arrive in Glasgow

 

Welcome san.

 

The huns and SFA are saying he's not signing and want to check VAR.

 

Is he in the country yet?

 

Don't think so.

Doubt he'll be able to play until next weekend at the earliest.

 

could be to move the purchase onto next years accounts

 

And the results in……penalty rangers

 

Next week

 

Want to see him already!

 

On the way...

 

He’s a handsome *

Doesn't fit in with his description of being a destroyer

 

Hurry babe.

Look forward to seeing him in action