Kota Takai

Kōta Takai (born 4 September 2004) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach, on loan from Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, and the Japan national team.

Club career Kawasaki Frontale Takai was promoted to the Kawasaki Frontale first team ahead of the 2022 season. He made his debut in a 8–0 victory against Guangzhou. At the end of the 2024 J1 League season, Takai was named the J.League's Best Young Player of 2024. He would help Frontale win the 2023 Emperor's Cup and 2024 Japanese Super Cup as well as making it to the 2025 AFC Champions League Elite final for the first time in club history.

Tottenham Hotspur On 8 July 2025, Takai agreed to join Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur on a permanent transfer until 2030. Takai's start to life at Tottenham was delayed after being diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, causing him to miss pre-season and the first matches of the season, returning to training in early September. Takai would play his first minutes for Tottenham with the U21s in a Behind closed doors friendly against Dagenham & Redbridge on 2 December, later making his first matchday squad in a 1-0 away win against Crystal Palace on 28 December.

Loan to Borussia Mönchengladbach On 2 January 2026, Takai joined Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach on loan for the remainder of the 2025–26 season. He made his debut on 11 January 2026 in the 72nd minute as a substitute for Philipp Sander in a 4-0 home win over FC Augsburg.