Latest news with #Takai
Nikkei Asia
2 days ago
- Business
- Nikkei Asia
Europe's cut-price raid on J.League talent exposes monetization gap
Sports Spurs' 5m-pound deal for Kota Takai shows how Japan undervalues rising stars Kawasaki Frontale's Kota Takai takes on Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo in the semifinal of the Asian Champions League in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on April 30. Takai's 5 million-pound transfer to Tottenham is the highest for a J. League player moving abroad. © Reuters DAN ORLOWITZ TOKYO -- Newly signed Tottenham center back Kota Takai isn't merely carrying high expectations as the Premier League's latest Japanese import: The 20-year-old's transfer fee of 5 million pounds ($6.7 million) is a record for a Japanese player moving abroad, breaking the 4.5 million pounds set by Kyogo Furuhashi when he moved from Vissel Kobe to Celtic in the summer of 2021. The Yokohama native's transfer is being hailed as a watershed moment for the (Japan Professional Football League) -- and in particular for Kawasaki Frontale, where Takai spent about a decade.
The Mainichi
09-07-2025
- Sport
- The Mainichi
Football: Japan defender Kota Takai joins Tottenham on 5-year deal
LONDON (Kyodo) -- Japan defender Kota Takai has joined Tottenham Hotspur on a five-year deal from J-League first-division side Kawasaki Frontale, the English Premier League football club announced Tuesday The 20-year-old, capped four times by the Samurai Blue and named the 2024 J-League's best young player, joins the Europa League champions led by new manager Thomas Frank. The 192-centimeter Takai came through Kawasaki's renowned youth development program and played for Japan at the Paris Olympics last summer before making his senior national team debut in September. Spurs are looking to bounce back from their 17th-place finish in the Premier League last term under former Yokohama F Marinos boss Ange Postecoglou, who was dismissed over the summer despite his success on the continent. "I'm expecting lots of situations where I'll be marking man-to-man, and how I manage to defend against strong forwards on my own will be the most important thing," Takai said recently ahead of his move to the Premier League. "I'm not too worried about my build-up play. I'm looking forward to how much I can do defensively."
Qatar Tribune
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Tottenham sign Japan defender Takai from Kawasaki Frontale
PA Media/dpa London Tottenham have signed Japan international defender Kota Takai from J-League side Kawasaki Frontale. The 20-year-old has agreed a five-year deal and will compete in central defence with Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Kevin Danso and Radu Dragusin. Tottenham have not disclosed a fee. The Premier League club said in a statement on Tuesday: 'We are delighted to announce the signing of Kota Takai from J1 League side Kawasaki Frontale, subject to international clearance and work permit. 'The Japan international defender has agreed a deal with the club that will run until 2030.' Takai made his international debut in September in a 7-0 World Cup qualifying win over China having helped his club side to an eighth-placed finish domestically last season. Takai, who has made four senior appearances for his country, was named Japan's young player of the year in 2024 having broken into Kawasaki's first team two years previously. He made a total of 81 senior appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring four goals, and helped them reach the 2025 AFC Champions League final where they lost to Saudi side Al-Ahli. He is the club's second signing since Thomas Frank was appointed as head coach in place of Ange Postecoglou in June, after Mathys Tel's six-month loan from Bayern Munich was made permanent.
Japan Today
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Japan Today
Tottenham signs Japan defender Takai
soccer Tottenham signed Japense international Kota Takai from Kawasaki Frontale on Tuesday. The 20-year-old centre-back has signed a five-year deal with the Europa League winners and will cost a reported fee of £5 million ($7 million), according to Sky Sports. Takai, who has been capped by his country four times, was named Japan's young player of the year in 2024 having broken into Kawasaki's first team two years previously. He made a total of 81 senior appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring four goals, and helped them reach the 2025 Asian Champions League final. Takai faces stiff competition for a place in Thomas Frank's side up against Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Kevin Danso and Radu Dragusin. However, reports have linked Argentine international Romero with a move to Atletico Madrid. Takai is Spurs' second signing of the transfer window after Mathys Tel's six-month loan from Bayern Munich was made permanent. © 2025 AFP
Observer
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Tottenham sign Japan defender Takai
LONDON: Tottenham signed Japense international Kota Takai from Kawasaki Frontale on Tuesday. The 20-year-old centre-back has signed a five-year deal with the Europa League winners and will cost a reported fee of £5 million ($7 million), according to Sky Sports. Takai, who has been capped by his country four times, was named Japan's young player of the year in 2024 having broken into Kawasaki's first team two years previously. He made a total of 81 senior appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring four goals, and helped them reach the 2025 Asian Champions League final. Takai faces stiff competition for a place in Thomas Frank's side up against Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Kevin Danso and Radu Dragusin. However, reports have linked Argentine international Romero with a move to Atletico Madrid. Takai is Spurs' second signing of the transfer window after Mathys Tel's six-month loan from Bayern Munich was made permanent. — AFP
