Born on 7 April 1997 in Japan, Tomoki Iwata is a defensive midfielder currently playing for Birmingham City. Standing at 5ft 10in (1.78m) and weighing 12st 1lb (77kg), he dons the number 24 jersey. With a market value hovering around €1.2m (£1m), as reported by Transfermarkt, his contract with Birmingham City is set to expire in June 2027.
Iwata's career took off back in January 2015 when he signed for J2 League club Oita Trinita in Japan, making nine first team appearances in his debut season. His performances improved with time, seeing him score four goals in 27 appearances in 2019, and two goals in 30 matches the following year. In January 2021, Iwata transferred to Yokohama F. Marinos for an undisclosed fee, making over 30 appearances in each of his two seasons.
Iwata's journey then led him to Scottish Premiership side Celtic in January 2023 on loan. Here, he made 13 appearances in his first season. Shortly afterwards, in July 2023, he made his move to Celtic permanent. His market value, and on-pitch contributions steadily increased during his tenure. He made 19 appearances and scored one goal in his second year, securing his place in the fan's hearts. It's noteworthy how his game developed during his time with the club; his performances undoubtedly contributing to Celtic's then fortunes.
Recognising his potential, Birmingham City brought Iwata to England in August 2024 for a fee of £830k. He quickly became an integral part of the team, scoring five goals in 21 appearances in the current 2024-2025 season. He also had a positive impact in the FA Cup, with one goal to his name, and made his presence felt in the EFL Trophy by scoring one goal with one start and one appearance as a substitute.
While now plying his trade on different shores, those seasons at Celtic remain embedded as an important chapter in Iwata's intriguing career journey.
