Tomoki Iwata, born on 7th April 1997 in Japan, is a central defensive midfielder who graces the football pitch with Birmingham City. Standing at a steady 5ft 10in (1.78m) and with a weight of 12st 1lb (77kg), Iwata embodies the physicality typical of his role on the field. He is 28 years of age and is recognisable on the pitch, donning the number 24 jersey.
His market value is currently pegged at an approximate £1.3 million, information gleaned from Transfermarkt. According to the same source, he has about two years and two months remaining on his contract with Birmingham City, due to expire on 30th June 2027.
Iwata initially joined the ranks of Oita Trinita, a J2 League club in Japan in January 2015. During his tenure, he showed steady progress, with nine first team appearances in his debut season in 2017, and growing to score four goals in 27 appearances by the 2019 season. His performance peaked in 2020 when he scored twice in 30 matches.
January 2021 saw Iwata transferring from Oita Trinita to Yokohama F. Marinos, a J1 League club in Japan. Here he continued his strong performance, with 34 first team appearances in 2021 and two goals in 32 appearances in 2022.
Iwata's journey then took him to Scotland in January 2023, when he moved to Celtic on loan. His one and a half seasons at Celtic bore fruit in terms of experience and exposure, with 13 first team appearances in league matches in the 2022-2023 season, and 19 appearances with one goal in the 2023-2024 season.
His stay at Celtic was then made permanent in July 2023, a milestone in his career. He further cemented his status as a dependable midfielder with 13 league appearances in the 2022-2023 season, and 19 appearances with a goal in the following season.
August 2024 saw Iwata making the move to Birmingham City in the League One in England for a transfer fee of approximately £830k. His current season with Birmingham City in 2024-2025 has thus far been productive, with six goals in 38 first team appearances in league matches. He has also made noteworthy contributions in the FA Cup 2024-2025 and EFL Trophy 2024-2025, scoring a goal each in these competitions.
While at Celtic, Iwata proved to be an admirable figure on the pitch. He thrived under the pressure of the Scottish Premiership, a testament to his growth as a player from his days in Japan. The Celtic experience undoubtedly enriched his playing style and contributed significantly to his current standing in the football world.
