is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for club Birmingham City and the Japan national team.
Club career
Oita Trinita Born in Ōita, Iwata began his youth career with Oita Trinita in 2015, before signing professionally the following year, in 2016.
Yokohama F. Marinos In 2021, Iwata signed for J1 club, Yokohama F. Marinos. On 5 November 2022, he led the club to the 2022 J1 League title. Two days later, he was named among the Best XI of the season and also voted Player of the Year.
Celtic On 30 December 2022, Iwata signed for Scottish Premiership side Celtic on an initial loan deal with a compulsory purchase clause. This has seen Iwata reunited with his former Yokohama manager, Ange Postecoglou. On 21 January 2023, Iwata made his debut for the club in a 5–0 win against Greenock Morton in the Scottish Cup.
Celtic confirmed in July 2023 that Iwata had signed for the club on a permanent basis.
Birmingham City On 30 August 2024, Iwata signed a three-year contract with recently relegated EFL League One club Birmingham City, for an undisclosed fee. His performances in Birmingham's 2024-25 promotion season earned him a place in the PFA League One Team of the Year. The club earned triple-digit points and he was one of their seven members to be selected.
International career On 24 May 2019, Iwata was called up by Japan's head coach Hajime Moriyasu to feature in the Copa América played in Brazil. He made his debut on 20 June 2019 in the game against Uruguay, as a starter.
Career statistics
Club Nippon Sports Kikaku Publishing inc./日本スポーツ企画出版社, "J1&J2&J3選手名鑑ハンディ版 2018 (NSK MOOK)", 7 February 2018, Japan, (p. 189 out of 289)Nippon Sports Kikaku Publishing inc./日本スポーツ企画出版社, "2016J1&J2&J3選手名鑑", 10 February 2016, Japan, (p. 251 out of 289)
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsOita Trinita2015J2 League0010———102016J3 League24110———2512017J2 League12000———1202018J2 League20011———2112019J1 League2741030——3142020J1 League3020000——302Total11374130——1208Yokohama F. Marinos2021J1 League3401071——4212022J1 League322100070—402Total66220717000823Celtic (loan)2022–23Scottish Premiership1304010——180Celtic2023–24Scottish Premiership191200030—241Total32160103000421Birmingham City2024–25League One4062100—514782025–26Championship4231010——443Total8293110—519111Career total293191521211005133523
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsJapan201920202220Total40
Honours
Yokohama F. Marinos J1 League: 2022
Celtic Scottish Premiership: 2022–232023–24 Scottish Cup: 2022–23, 2023–24 Scottish League Cup: 2022–23
Birmingham City EFL League One: 2024–25 EFL Trophy runner-up: 2024–25
Japan EAFF Championship: 2022
Individual J.League MVP Award: 2022 J.League Best XI: 2022 EFL League One Team of the Season: 2024–25 PFA Team of the Year: 2024–25 League One
References
External links
Tomoki Iwata at Oita Trinita