There are quite a few connections between Celtic and Birmingham City.
As well as Tomoki Iwata and Kyogo Furuhashi, they are also managed by Chris Davies, who was the assistant to Brendan Rodgers in his first spell at the club.
Birmingham also have aspirations of one day becoming a footballing powerhouse and are slowly assembling the squad to get promoted to the Premier League.
This summer, another former Hoops star headed to the west midlands and could be extending his stay.
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Patrick Roberts set for permanent Birmingham move
Patrick Roberts was the latest in the contingent of former Celtic players who have also joined Birmingham.
He was a deadline day arrival on loan from Sunderland, and has impressed so far.
Roberts could join for a freebie in the summer and Don Goodman told Football League World that he would make a great addition on a permanent basis.
He said: “Yes, I can absolutely understand why Birmingham fans would urge the club to make Patrick Roberts’ signing permanent. His pedigree at this level is undeniable.
“Last season, plenty of assists for Sunderland. He probably should score more goals with the ability that he’s got, but he does seem to be more of an assister than a goalscorer.”
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty ImagesPatrick Roberts loved Celtic time
The winger became a fan favourite during his time at Celtic but, despite the clamour from fans to sign him permanently, he never returned.
However, those memories have never left and the winger described the club as his ‘second home’.
He told the Celtic View Podcast in 2023: “I didn’t think we would achieve what we would go on to achieve and I’m so proud of it to look back on and it’s one of the best things for my career that I was at Celtic.
“Everything about it was amazing, even the second season spell didn’t go as well with injuries but we won the treble again and were even stronger.
“It was just like a bit of a second home really, it’s one of those clubs that you play for and they stick with you forever. From minute one I loved my time there and there’s no place like it.”
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