December 26-according to the Japanese media Sports Japan, Yokohama Mariners guard Zhihui Iwata will soon join the Celtics on loan, including a buyout clause.
Zhihui Iwata, 25, can serve as centre-back, full-back and right-back, known as the “omnipotent warrior”. Shihui Iwata, who works for the Yokohama Mariners, helped the team regain the league title as a main centre-back last season, making 42 appearances in all competitions and contributing two goals and two assists. And he also won the best player in the J1 league in 2022 for his excellent performance. This is the fourth defender to win the award after 16 years (the last one was King Dooley Tanaka in 2006).
A few days ago, the Scottish media reported that the Celtics were interested in signing Zhihui Iwata in the winter window. Today, the Japanese media confirmed the news, saying that the player had obtained a British work permit and was officially announced after passing the medical examination. The lease contract contains a buyout clause with a transfer fee of 1 million euros.
At present, there are four players in the Celtics, such as Hengwu Furubashi, flag bearer Xie Yang, Yosuke Inoukou and Daran Maeda, together with Kobe Victory Shipwayashi Kobayashi and Shigehui Iwata, who are about to be announced on a free transfer. There will be six Japanese players in the Celtics.