Celtic appear to be closing in on signing Yokohama F. Marinos ace Tomoki Iwata with a January deal now expected.
The Bhoys have already secured two signings well in advance of January.
Vissel Kobe defender Yuki Kobayashi has agreed to join whilst CF Montreal ace Alistair Johnston is in after a strong World Cup campaign with Canada.
Ange Postecoglou loves to get business done early and another deal appears to be on the verge of completion.
Celtic close in on Tomoki Iwata
Sports Nippon, one of the top sports newspapers in Japan, report that Celtic are set to snap up Yokohama F. Marinos talent Tomoki Iwata.
It’s stated that Celtic will be signing Iwata on loan until the end of the season with an option to buy at around 133 million yen – equivalent to around £830,000.
The report notes that Iwata has already obtained a work permit to join Celtic and he is now waiting for his medical.
Iwata is set to become the sixth Japanese player in the Celtic squad, joining Kobayashi, Reo Hatate, Yosuke Ideguchi, Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi.
Who is Tomoki Iwata?
Iwata, 25, was born on Oita in Japan and came through with hometown club Oita Trinita.
Yokohama F. Marinos pounced in January 2021, and who was in charge of them at the time? That’s right, Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou.
Iwata played 19 times under Postecoglou, bagging one goal and two assists.
Deployed as a holding midfielder or right back by Postecoglou, Iwata lost just twice in his 19 games under the Australian.
Iwata was vital for Yokohama F. Marinos this past season as they won the J1 League title.
Boss Kevin Muscat is a close friend of Postecoglou and has no doubt given a great recommendation even if the Celtic boss already knows Iwata.
Iwata does have four Japan caps to his name but wasn’t selected for the World Cup in Qatar.
Still, Iwata was named as the J1 League Player of the Year for 2022 and looks set to celebrate with a big move to Celtic.
Postecoglou dodged questions about Iwata on Christmas Eve, telling the Glasgow Times ‘we’ll see what Santa brings’.
It looks like that five-word message is paying off, with Celtic set to sign a versatile performer.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
