Tomoki Iwata to Celtic transfer price revealed as Japanese MVP 'obtains' work permit ahead of move

The 25-year-old could be the latest in a growing line of Japanese talent to move to Glasgow.

Tomoki Iwata will join Celtic for a reported fee of £828k on a loan deal with an option to buy, it's claimed in Japan.

The defensive-minded midfielder won the J-League's MVP (Most Valuable Player) award this year after form shown at Yokohama F. Marinos, where the Hoops got Ange Postecoglou from and Daizen Maeda last year. It was claimed last week that the 25-year-old was on a shortlist of Celtic targets as the January window looms into view.

Parkhead boss Postecoglou then dropped a hint after Saturday's match that he was waiting to see 'what Santa brings' with regards a move for Iwata and he appears to have brought a new player to Glasgow. Japanese media Sponichi claim he's already 'obtained' his UK work permit in place and that he will officially sign after a medical. It's a similar deal to Maeda, a loan with an option to buy.

It's claimed his price will be around $1m dollars, which is approximately £828k. Iwata will join countrymen Kyogo Furuhashi, Reo Hatate, Maeda and Yosuke Ideguchi in Glasgow.

Should this deal get over the line, it would be the third Postecoglou has completed this winter after fellow Japanese star Yuki Kobayashi and Canadian international Alistair Johnston.

Follow Record Sport on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond.

You can also follow our dedicated Rangers and Celtic podcast pages and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season.