If Celtic want to sign Tomoki Iwata permanently, then they only have so long to do it.
The J League Player of the Year was confirmed as the latest addition to the Premiership champions’ squad on Friday. The versatile star, who can operate in defence or midfield, has arrived on loan from Yokohama F Marinos until the end of the season as he reunites with Ange Postecoglou once more. The Aussie coach managed Iwata when he was in charge of Marinos and has now taken him to Glasgow as Postecoglou further increased the Japanese contingent at Parkhead.
In a transfer that has similarities to the deal that took Daizen Maeda to Celtic, Iwata and the club have the option to turn his loan into a permanent transfer this summer. They did the exact same with Maeda last season, who also signed from Yokohama on loan before a £1.5million fee made him a fully fledged Hoop in the summer. For Iwata to join him permanently, it must be signed and sealed by 9 June, 2023.
Iwata had a parting message for his former club, and admitted that simply moving to Europe wasn’t enough and that the time had come to kick on and grow as a player. He said: “I decided to move overseas, which was my dream.
“I am really glad that I came to Yokohama F. Marinos. I was able to win the league title, which was my goal before, and I can only thank my teammates, staff, fans and supporters.Thank you! Marinos family is the best!
"I am not satisfied with this overseas transfer, and I would like to grow further from here! There is still more to come.”
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