Tottenham Hotspur have finalised a deal to sign Japan international Kota Takai from Kawasaki Frontale in what is set to be a record-breaking transfer from the J1 League.
The 20-year-old centre-back will become the most expensive Japanese player to leave the J1, with Spurs paying a reported £5million to secure his signature ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Takai Set for First-Team Integration
The towering defender has already made 78 senior appearances for Kawasaki and is expected to join Spurs’ first-team setup immediately, competing alongside Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Radu Dragusin, Kevin Danso, and Ben Davies in a now heavily stacked defensive department.
“He’s ready for this challenge. This is a player with the mental steel and technical maturity to thrive in the Premier League,” said a Spurs insider.
Who is Kota Takai?
- Age: 20
- Position: Centre-Back
- Club: Kawasaki Frontale (Japan)
- National Team Caps: 4 (Japan senior team)
- Style: Tall, composed, aerially dominant, with elite anticipation and leadership maturity beyond his years.
Takai has been tipped as one of Asia’s most exciting defensive prospects and won the Japanese Super Cup with Frontale in 2023. He is viewed by Spurs' hierarchy as a long-term investment.
Tottenham’s Transfer Drive Accelerates
Takai is the third defensive reinforcement this summer, following the permanent signing of Kevin Danso (£21m) from Lens and Croatian goalkeeper Luka Vuskovic, who arrives from Hajduk Split.
Defensive Depth at Spurs
| Spurs Centre-Back Options | Age |
|---|---|
| Cristian Romero | 26 |
| Micky van de Ven | 23 |
| Radu Dragusin | 22 |
| Kevin Danso | 25 |
| Kota Takai | 20 |
| Ben Davies | 31 |
- Tottenham sign Japan star Kota Takai for record J1 League fee
- £5m deal confirms Spurs' commitment to youth and global scouting
- Takai joins a competitive centre-back unit with immediate integration planned
- Spurs continue high-ambition rebuild under Thomas Frank
- Follows Danso and Vuskovic as latest arrivals
What’s Next for Spurs?
With Mathys Tel’s £30m deal already completed and Luka Vuskovic on the way, Spurs are showing no signs of slowing down. Expect further moves in midfield and out wide as Frank sharpens his squad.
Predict Spurs' back line for opening day! Is Takai ready to start?
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