Tomoki Iwata has revealed he has known all about Celtic for a 'long-time' due to fans' favourite Shunsuke Nakamura.
Ange Postecoglou has secured a loan deal with an obligation to buy for the former Yokohama F Marinos midfielder. It is a similar arrangement that brought Daizen Maeda to Scotland last January with the Japan international becoming the third winter addition for the Scottish champions on top of Alistair Johnston and Yuki Kobayashi.
Iwata got his first experience of the Parkhead atmosphere when paraded in the win over Kilmarnock. It was something the 25-year-old will never forget as he admitted to getting goosebumps. Getting out on the turf as soon as possible is his main aim after opening up on a connection with the club that goes right back to his childhood.
He revealed: “I knew all about Celtic since our legend, Shunsuke Nakamura, was playing for the club.
“Since I was little I have been aware of Celtic and watching games, so I have known about the club for a long time.
“Shunsuke is a player I would like to imitate, for example, with free-kicks. I’m right-footed, but I try to kick with my left foot, too. He is my example to follow.
“I got to meet Shunsuke at a game. He is a really good player in terms of his touch on the ball. He is someone who always tries to make a difference in games with the ball at his feet.
“I think he was also an example to follow in terms of making young Japanese players believe they could come to Europe and play in the Champions League.”
On his first experience of nearly 60,000 fans at Celtic Park, he added: “I got goosebumps. I was really surprised by the atmosphere, which you can’t experience in Japan.
"To play in that atmosphere will be the greatest thing. I would like to play out on that pitch as soon as possible.”
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