Tottenham sign the defender who kept Ronaldo quiet
Tottenham Set to Sign Rising Japanese Star Kota Takai in £5m Deal as Club Continues Youth-Focused Transfer Strategy
Tottenham Hotspur are edging closer to completing the signing of highly-rated Japanese centre-back Kota Takai in what is expected to be a record-breaking £5 million deal with J-League side Kawasaki Frontale. The 20-year-old, widely regarded as one of the brightest young prospects in Japanese football, will become the most expensive export from Japan once the move is finalized.
Spurs are optimistic that Takai will follow in the footsteps of Swedish teenager Lucas Bergvall, who made an immediate impact after arriving from Djurgardens and went on to win both the Player and Young Player of the Season awards in his debut campaign. Similarly, the club hopes Takai can overcome the inevitable challenges of adapting to English football and establish himself under new manager Thomas Frank in the coming season.
From Rising Star in Japan to Premier League Prospect
Takai’s rapid ascent to professional football is impressive by any standard. Capped four times at the international level already, he has accumulated 78 appearances for Kawasaki Frontale—one of Japan’s top teams—before turning 21. His breakthrough as a regular starter in his teenage years is uncommon in Japanese football, where most elite players follow a more traditional route through the university system before turning professional.
Dan Orlowitz, a respected journalist and expert in Japanese football, offered insights into Takai’s development and potential during an interview with i Paper. According to Orlowitz, Takai stands out among his peers for how quickly he has become first-team ready:
> “He’s a fantastic player, especially for his age. It’s rare to see a 19 or 20-year-old in Japan who’s this prepared for top-level football. I think Spurs fans have every reason to be excited—he’s arguably the cream of the crop among domestic players ready to take the leap to Europe.”
Strengths and Areas for Growth
While Takai brings clear strengths to the table, he is by no means the finished product. Orlowitz highlights his physical tools and mentality as key assets:
> “He’s got impressive speed for someone of his size and brings a level of aggression you don’t always see from Japanese centre-backs. He’s quick, decisive, and doesn’t shy away from duels.”
These qualities were evident in his performance against global icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Jhon Durán during Kawasaki Frontale’s 3-2 victory over Al-Nassr in the Asian Champions League—neither striker managed to score.
However, the jump from Japan’s J-League to the Premier League represents a major step up, and Takai will need time to adapt.
> “He’s not dominant in the air yet—that’s one area that needs work. He’s solid on the ground and good in challenges, but the physicality and tempo of the Premier League will be a learning curve. Still, the raw tools are there,” Orlowitz said.
Navigating a Competitive Spurs Back Line
Once the transfer is finalized, Takai will be joining a Tottenham squad already rich in central defensive options. The likes of Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Radu Drăgușin, Kevin Danso, Ben Davies, and the now-eligible Luka Vusković—who finally arrives from Hajduk Split—will all be competing for minutes.
However, the signing reflects Tottenham’s broader recruitment strategy under their current regime: investing in elite young talent with long-term upside. Since the 2023 summer transfer window, only three of Spurs’ 17 permanent first-team signings have been over the age of 24. The club has consistently bet on youth, with recent examples like Bergvall and now Takai exemplifying this model.
J-League to Premier League: A Leap in Class
According to a comparative ranking by Opta Analyst, Japan’s J-League currently ranks as the 14th strongest domestic competition in the world—higher than Sweden’s Allsvenskan, which ranks 19th. The Premier League, by contrast, is widely considered the most competitive league globally. That context makes Takai’s adaptation both a challenge and an opportunity.
> “Lucas Bergvall made a similar jump and thrived after a slow start. There’s every chance Takai can do the same,” one club insider noted.
Financial Win for Kawasaki and Japanese Football
While a £5 million fee is relatively modest for a Premier League side like Tottenham, it marks a significant moment for Japanese football. The deal will make Takai the most expensive player to be transferred out of the J-League, surpassing many predecessors who made the leap to Europe for minimal fees.
> “This is great business for Kawasaki Frontale. Japanese clubs have often lost top talents for far less than they’re worth. Seeing players like Takai command a proper transfer fee is a positive sign for the J-League’s development and valuation,” Orlowitz said.
Should the transfer not pan out long-term, Spurs believe they could still recoup their investment by selling him to another European club—a low-risk, high-reward type of deal.
A Boost to Tottenham’s Asian Fanbase
Beyond the sporting and financial implications, the signing of Kota Takai could have a cultural impact as well. Tottenham has long enjoyed a massive following in South Korea thanks to the success of Son Heung-min. Now, with Takai potentially becoming just the second Japanese player ever to represent Spurs’ men’s team—after Kazuyuki Toda in 2003—the club could further strengthen its growing appeal in Japan.
More than 54,000 fans attended a Spurs pre-season match in Tokyo last summer, a testament to their popularity in the country. The arrival of Takai could deepen that connection.
> “Spurs already have one of the biggest Japanese fanbases among Premier League clubs, perhaps the biggest,” Orlowitz added. “Having a Japanese player in the first team—after Mana Iwabuchi featured for the women’s side—will only boost their profile further.”