Tomoki Iwata receives prestigious PFA accolade since leaving Celtic for Birmingham City

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Tomoki Iwata left Celtic for Birmingham in August 2024.

Iwata is a player who many Celtic fans believed was harshly treated by the club since his move to Parkhead from Yokohama F Marinos in 2022.

The former Japan MVP made just 42 appearances for Celtic with the vast majority of those from the Hoops bench.

Competing against Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, Aaron Mooy and Matt O’Riley for a Celtic first-team place so it’s little wonder Iwata struggled at the club.

However, now at Birmingham, Iwata’s Celtic exit has paid off as he becomes one of the most important players at the club.

And that has been hammered home after the Japanese midfielder’s Birmingham form earned him a huge accolade this week.

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Ex-Celtic man Tomoki Iwata named in the PFA League One Team of the Year

Iwata’s move to Birmingham surprised many Celtic supporters after he swapped the Scottish Premiership champions for England’s third tier.

However, Iwata was crucial in helping Birmingham win League One and earn promotion to the Championship last season.

And this week, the former Celtic man was honoured by his fellow PFA professionals.

Iwata was named in the PFA League One Team of the Year after his 40 appearances for Birmingham blew his fellow professionals away last season.

Now two games into the Championship season, Iwata has helped his side to a win and a draw as he looks to take Birmingham into the English Premier League next season.

Tomoki Iwata’s Celtic stats vs Birmingham City

Despite his lack of appearances for Celtic, Iwata was still a hugely popular player among the Parkhead support.

So how do his Celtic stats stack up against what he has done at Birmingham?

With more than double the minutes and just eight appearances more, Birmingham have proved that if Iwata is given game time then he can help deliver the goods.