Tomoki Iwata was a mystery at Celtic.
After being named Japan’s MVP, Iwata arrived at Celtic in 2022, but he was unable to establish himself in Ange Postecoglou’s first team.
Iwata, who had already earned four appearances for Japan, appeared to be the next significant player for Hajime Moriyasu when he secured his significant Celtic transfer.
Nevertheless, the former Yokohama F Marinos star was frequently relegated to the bench rather than the Parkhead turf, as Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor, Aaron Mooy, and Matt O’Riley all vied for a spot in Celtic’s first-team squad.
One year after departing Celtic for Birmingham, the 28-year-old midfielder has disclosed the reasons for his decision to depart Parkhead for the third tier of English football.
What prompted Tomoki Iwata to “immediately” prepare his bags and depart Celtic for Birmingham?
Since his arrival at Birmingham, Iwata has made a significant impression on the supporters of the English Championship team, which he helped to ascend from League One last season.
And nearly one year later, Iwata has clarified why he did not experience any negative emotions when he swapped the Celtic sideline for the English third tier.
Iwata disclosed to Soccer Digest Web, “Birmingham extended me an offer at the commencement of the off-season, and I held out until the final day of the transfer window, which was August 31.”
“I was resolute in my resolve to depart, as they held such high regard for me. Consequently, I promptly packed my bags and departed for a new location.”
“I did not harbor any adverse sentiments regarding my placement in the third division; rather, my primary motivation was to demonstrate to my family the extent of my dedication.”
The Birmingham fantasy was sold by Chris Davies to Tomoki Iwata, an ex-Celtic player.
Leaving a club of Celtic’s magnitude for any other team in Europe would be challenging at the best of times, but transitioning to League One in England was truly extraordinary.
Here, Iwata recounts the fantasy that former Celtic coach and Birmingham manager Chris Davies sold the former Japan MVP.
Iwata continued, “It was also noteworthy that the manager, Chris Davies, had previously coached at Celtic, Rodgers’ first team, and most recently under Ange at Tottenham.”
“I was at ease when I arrived at the location because the two managers were confident that I could “work with them” and had heard about me. They extended an offer to me.”
“I was also moved by the fact that Birmingham was in a similar situation to Oita Trinita, where I grew up, when they went down to J3.”
“It was a significant club that was previously in the Premier Division; however, they had been relegated to the third tier and were attempting to regain their position.” He expressed his desire to accompany me to the Premier League, and I recollected the days when we progressed through J2 and J1.
Iwata is potentially less than 12 months away from becoming a Premier League player at Birmingham.
The former Celtic midfielder’s realization of Davies’ aspiration would constitute yet another remarkable chapter in the Japanese man’s already remarkable narrative.
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