Chris Sutton has responded with a five-word Tweet after Celtic confirmed the arrival of Tomoki Iwata on Friday – which the Scottish Champions confirm is a loan deal until the summer, when a compulsory permanent deal kicks in.
Iwata, 25, is a defensive midfielder with four Japan caps. He joins the club from Ange Postecoglou’s old side Yokohama F. Marinos, having won the Japanese Player of the Year award. Iwata helped his side win the 2022 title.
Such form has convinced Postecoglou and Celtic to raid the Japanese League once again. Already coming to Scottish football from Japan includes Kyogo Furuhashi, Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and new signing Yuki Kobayashi.
The midfielder played 40 times in all competitions last season. Now, he has joined Celtic on loan to begin with. The club confirm in a statement that he will then sign a compulsory permanent deal, which is a “long-term contract”.
Celtic legend Sutton responded to the club’s third signing ahead of the January window – after Alistair Johnston and Kobayashi. He posted a five-word verdict on Twitter, claiming it is “another smart piece of business” by Celtic.
Sutton responds after Celtic confirmed arrival of Iwata
With Celtic already boasting a pretty in-depth squad, there will surely be players leaving this month. Especially, given Iwata joins an area of the pitch where there are numerous options. Callum McGregor remains first choice.
Hatate has been playing on the right of the defence of late, but he is first choice alongside Matt O’Riley in a midfield three. The club also boast Aaron Mooy, David Turnbull, James McCarthy, Yosuke Ideguchi and Oliver Abdilgaard.
The latter is only on loan and has struggled since his arrival, on loan from Rubin Kazan. That loan could well be cancelled in January. McCarthy looks more than likely to leave, sooner rather than later. Ideguchi, perhaps, as well.
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