Former Celtic midfielder, Tomoki Iwata, left NFL legend Tom Brady and Manchester United and Real Madrid icon, David Beckham blown away with his debut goal for Birmingham City last night.
The former Japan MVP joined Birmingham permanently this summer after an 18-month spell at Celtic where Iwata just couldn’t cement a regular first-team spot.
Iwata made just 42 appearances in the green and white Hoops scoring just once and creating three assists.
Now at the League One side, Iwata took just 59 minutes to open his account with Birmingham and what a strike it was:
Tom Brady and David Beckham blown away by Iwata
The strike was witnessed by seven-time Superbowl champion, Tom Brady, who invested in Birmingham City back in August 2023.
Brady was joined in the stands by England legend, David Beckham as well and both were delighted with the left-footed strike by former Celtic man, Iwata.
Iwata could not have hoped for a better start to this new chapter of his career and the strike delighted his new gaffer, another former Celtic man, Chris Davies.
Davies: ‘It was a helluva strike’ by Iwata
Davies told Birmingham City’s official media outlet, “I didn’t know he quite had that in his locker, no. Physically strong, that’s what he is.
“He competes well for the ball, he’s nice and crisp with his passing. He fancied it with his left foot, it was a helluva strike.
“I had a great view of it. It was right in the corner and at that moment of the game to get that third goal was big.”
It’s great to see Iwata make a brilliant start to his career at Birmingham because if any player deserves a bit of luck, it’s the Japanese international.
Iwata showed great promise at Celtic but, in truth, trying to break into a midfield with Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley was nigh on impossible.
Hopefully, the former Celtic midfielder can kick on and carve a great career at City because, at Paradise, Iwata was just the right player at the wrong time.
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