Koki Mizuno

is a Japanese football (soccer). He is a midfielder and currently plays for Scottish Premier League side Celtic F.C..　

He is also the cousin of fellow Japanese international Keita Suzuki.

Career

Club

After graduating from Shimizu Commercial High School, Mizuno joined J. League side JEF United Ichihara Chiba in 2004. He was the MVP of the 2006 J. League Cup competition.

In early January 2008, speculation arose in the Scottish press that Celtic F.C. would move for Mizuno. This was later confirmed by Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell who explained that the club planned on signing Mizuno, if he was granted a work permit.

After initially being denied a permit, Celtic manager Gordon Strachan took part in an appeal hearing in which he described his other Japanese import Shunsuke Nakamura as a "flawless performer" and "The best player I have ever worked with, and that includes (Kenny) Kenny Dalglish and (Gary) Gary McAllister", and claimed that Mizuno was a young player of immense talent and potential. The appeal was successful and Celtic completed the signing of Koki Mizuno on Tuesday January 29 2008. On July 18 2008, Mizuno made his debut in a 2-0 Season_%28sports%29 Pre-season Exhibition game win over Southampton F.C. He has yet to play any competitve games for Celtic

International

Mizuno was a member of the Japan national football team team for 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship where he scored a goal against Benin national football team. His first cap as a full international came when he substituted Naohiro Takahara on March 24, 2007 in a friendly against Peru national football team. He was a member of the Japan team for 2007 AFC Asian Cup and played 2 games as a substitute.

Honours

Personal

JEF United
- 2006 J. League Cup MVP

Team

JEF United
- J. League Cup: 2005, 2006