Tottenham Transfers: Japan Defender Kota Takai Completes £5m Switch From Kawasaki Frontale

Kota Takai has become Tottenham Hotspurs’ third signing of the summer window after completing his move from J-League side Kawasaki Frontale on Tuesday. 

Takai, who has put pen to paper on a five-year deal with the Europa League champions, has joined the club for a reported £5m transfer fee. 

The 20-year-old has made 22 appearances in the Japanese top flight this season, scoring twice as Kawasaki Frontale sit sixth in the table, five points behind the top two. 

Takai also played a crucial role in his former team’s Japanese Super Cup success in 2024, while also being named the nation’s best young player that year. 

He made his international debut for Japan in September last year, replacing Ko Itakura in the 71st minute of Japan’s 7-0 victory over China in a World Cup qualifier. 

Takai has featured four times for his country since, while he was also part of the side that reached the quarter-finals of the Paris Olympics. 

He became Thomas Frank’s latest addition to his new squad after Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso’s loan moves were made permanent. 

Takai could make his competitive debut against Paris Saint-Germain, with the two teams squaring off for the UEFA Super Cup at Stadio Friuli on August 13. 

Spurs kick off their Premier League season three days later at home to Burnley.