Tottenham agree deal to sign Japan defender Kota Takai

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly agreed a deal worth £5 million to sign Japanese defender Kota Takahi from Kawasaki Frontale this summer, according to Sponichi Soccer.

The 20-year-old centre-back will join the club in July and is expected to be part of Thomas Frank’s first-team squad.

Takai played a key role in helping Kawasaki Frontale win the 2024 Japanese Super Cup and was later named the best young player in the country.

He will compete for a place in the squad alongside Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Kevin Danso and Radu Dragusin.

Takai set for Premier League challenge under Thomas Frank

The defender impressed in the AFC Champions League semi-final, where Kawasaki beat Al-Nassr 3-2. He stood out against Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane.

Takai can play on either side of a centre-back pairing, which adds flexibility to Tottenham’s defensive options.

The signing follows Tottenham’s trend of focusing on young talent following the signings of Lucas Bergvall, Pape Matar Sarr and Destiny Udogie.

Approval for the deal reportedly came from new manager Thomas Frank, who is eager to assess Takai in pre-season.

He is expected to remain with the squad rather than go out on loan, but that decision may change after Frank and his coaches see him in training.

Takai is one of Japan’s brightest defensive prospects, and Tottenham are hoping he will make a smooth transition to English football.