Who is Kota Takai? Tottenham’s new £5m Japanese centre-back from Kawasaki Frontale
Tottenham are expected to complete the signing of a highly rated 20-year-old centre-back from Kawasaki Frontale this summer, but who is Kota Takai, the young defender joining the ranks in north London?
Tottenham Hotspur are reported to have reached a £5m agreement to sign Kota Takai from J1 League side Kawasaki Frontale this summer.
The 20-year-old centre-back is expected to join the Tottenham first-team squad, making him the seventh central defensive option available to Thomas Frank ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Takai has penned a five-year deal with Tottenham, which includes an option for a further year, as well as a 10% sell-on clause embedded in the agreement with Kawasaki Frontale.
Spurs fans have wasted no time in reacting to the arrival of Kota Takai, with many tipping the Japanese international as a long-term prospect for the club. But who exactly is the 20-year-old defender set to make the switch to north London?
Who is Tottenham signing Kota Takai?
Kota Takai is a 20-year-old Japanese centre-back born on 4 September 2004, currently playing for J1 League side Kawasaki Frontale and representing the Japan national team.
He is understood to have signed a five-year contract with Tottenham Hotspur and is expected to complete the move to north London in the summer of 2025.
His £5 million move makes him the most expensive Japanese international ever signed directly from the J1 League. Takai made his senior debut for Kawasaki Frontale following his promotion to the first team in 2022, featuring in an 8–0 victory over Guangzhou.
On the international stage, he made his Japan debut on 5 September 2024, replacing Ko Itakura in a World Cup qualifier against China. He was also called up to the Japan U23 squad for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup in April 2024.
Kota Takai club history and stats before joining Spurs
Takai has spent the bulk of his career at Kawasaki Frontale, coming through the ranks at the club before breaking into the first team.
Below is a breakdown of his club appearances across the different stages of his career so far:
| Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki Frontale (2022–2025) | 78 | 4 | 1 |
| Kawasaki Frontale U18 (2018–2022) | 14 | 2 | 0 |
| Tottenham Hotspur (2025–present) | – | – | – |
What positions has Takai played?
Takai is primarily a centre-back, having played the vast majority of his minutes at the heart of defence. However, he is also comfortable operating as a right-back, offering Thomas Frank added flexibility in defensive areas.
| Position | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Centre-back | 69 | 4 | 1 |
His ability to slot in at full-back could prove valuable for Spurs, especially with the need for depth across the backline throughout a long campaign.
What trophies has Kota Takai won before joining Spurs?
Despite his young age, Takai already has silverware under his belt both at the club and international level.
With Kawasaki Frontale, he lifted the Japanese Super Cup in 2024. On the international scene, he was part of the Japan U23 squad that won the AFC U-23 Asian Cup in the same year. His performances also earned him the J.League Best Young Player award in 2024.
Takai stats across competitions
Takai’s numbers show a defender with growing experience at a high level. Having featured consistently for Frontale across domestic and continental competitions, his minutes reflect a player trusted in key moments.
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| J1 League | 57 | 4 | 1 |
| Takamado U18 Premier League East | 13 | 2 | 0 |
| AFC Champions League Elite | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Emperor’s Cup | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| AFC Champions League | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| J.League Cup | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Japanese Super Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| U18 Premier League Championship | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Kota Takai’s style of play analysed
Takai’s profile suggests a defender with solid fundamentals and strong physical traits. He has a good eye for danger and prefers to defend proactively, stepping in with intelligent positioning and timely challenges.
He covers space well, especially when tracking back or defending against wide deliveries at the back post.
His pace and agility allow him to close down threats quickly, and he does not hesitate to go to ground when required.
Aerially, he is not yet dominant but remains effective enough. His approach is old-school in the air, winning the duel and clearing his lines.
In possession, he is right-footed and calm when building from the back. He keeps it simple, opting for short passes to progress play without unnecessary risk, though he has shown he is capable of longer distribution when needed.
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