Tottenham has so far had a relatively quiet transfer window, but has announced their first new addition of the summer after signing the Japanese defender Kota Takai, who will add to the defensive options of Thomas Frank
Tottenham has announced the signing of the Japanese defender Kota Takai of J1 League-Outfit Kawasaki Frontale, with the center-back joining the men of Thomas Frank for a five-year-old deal.
The 20-year-old will be the second transfer of the club of the summer after completing a permanent deal for Lennee Mathys Tel. Defender Kevin Danso also came permanently at the end of last season.
Frank will be grateful for a new addition to the defense after Radu Dragusin was excluded for a long enchantment after a serious ACL injury in February, where the Romanian was not expected until the end of the year.
Takai will compete for a starting spot with the first choice that Cristian Romero and Mickey van de Ven as well as Danso combines and will hope to have a quick impact after being appointed the Japanese young player of the year in 2024.
“We are delighted to announce the signing of Kota Takai on the J1 League side Kawasaki Frontale, subject to international allocation and work permit,” Tottenham said in a statement.
“The international defender of Japan has concluded a deal with the club that will run until 2030.”
Takai made his international debut in September in a 7-0 world cup qualifying victory over China after helping his club side at an eighth placed finish in the interior last season.
Takai has made four senior performances for his country, after he broke into the first team of Kawasaki in 2022 at the age of only 17.
He made a total of 81 senior performances in all competitions for the club, scored four goals and helped them reach the 2025 AFC Champions League final.
Frank will still hope for more signing sessions while he continues to stamp his mark on the team since he took over from Ange Postecoglou last month.
Spurs are in conversation with West Ham to sign wing player Mohammed Kudus, but they have seen an £ 50 million bid after reporting “unrealistic” add-ons.
Talksport was claimed that the add-ons of Tottenham would only be activated if they won the Premier League of Champions League, with West Ham demanding a guaranteed £ 60 million.
The Europa League champions are also linked to Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo, Crystal Palace playmaker Ebereechi Eze and Brentford Bryan Mbeumo -but seem to have cooled their interest in the last two.