Tottenham sign Japanese defender Kota Takai

Tottenham Hotspur has signed 20-year-old Japan international defender Kota Takai from J-League side Kawasaki Frontale for a fee of around five million pounds (6.8 million U.S. dollars).

Husain Norchaev (L) of Uzbekistan vies with Takai Kota of Japan during the final match between Japan and Uzbekistan at AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 football tournament in Doha, Qatar, on May 3, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)

Takai has agreed on a five-year contract until the end of June 2030 and subject to a work permit. He moves to the UEFA Europa League champions after 81 appearances for his former club, helping Kawasaki reach the 2025 AFC Champions League final after beating Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr in the semis.

The defender has represented Japan at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and has played four times for the senior national team after making his debut against China in September 2024