Tottenham officially announce the recruitment of center back Takai on Son Heung-min's birthday...J-League's highest transfer fee of 9.3 billion, contract period of 5 years

Jul 08, 2025

Tottenham officially announce the recruitment of center back Takai on Son Heung-min's birthday...J-League's highest transfer fee of 9.3 billion, contract period of 5 years
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Tottenham officially announce the recruitment of center back Takai on Son Heung-min's birthday...J-League's highest transfer fee of 9.3 billion, contract period of 5 years
토트넘 SNS
Tottenham officially announce the recruitment of center back Takai on Son Heung-min's birthday...J-League's highest transfer fee of 9.3 billion, contract period of 5 years
토트넘 SNS
Tottenham held Japanese center back Kota Takai in their arms.

Tottenham announced the recruitment of Takai, who played in the Kawasaki Frontale in the J-League on the 8th (Korea time) to celebrate Son Heung-min's birthday. The contract period is five years, and the transfer fee is 5 million pounds (about 9.3 billion won). Takai recorded the highest transfer fee ever among players who went straight to Europe from the Japanese J-League.

Takai, born in 2004, is the future of Japanese soccer. He attracted attention in February 2022 when he signed a professional contract as the youngest player in Kawasaki's history. He made his first-team debut in April that year at the age of 17 through the Asian Champions League (ACL).




Making his first-team appearance in the 2023 J1 League, he made 21 appearances that year. In the 2024 season, he won the League Young Player Award with two goals in 24 games.

He played consistently this season and scored two goals in 19 league games. In September last year, he was selected for the Japanese national team and made his A-match debut. He has played in four A matches so far and is considered an expected player to take charge of the next generation of Japan's defense.

Tottenham officially announce the recruitment of center back Takai on Son Heung-min's birthday...J-League's highest transfer fee of 9.3 billion, contract period of 5 years
토트넘 SNS
Tottenham officially announce the recruitment of center back Takai on Son Heung-min's birthday...J-League's highest transfer fee of 9.3 billion, contract period of 5 years
토트넘 SNS
His physical condition is excellent at 1m92, and he is said to have excellent pass skills like a Japanese player. He also has the ability to control airballs and score points with his tall height.

The speed is also very good. However, he has not had much experience in the first team so far, so it is not evaluated that his defense has been completed yet. Dakai joins Tottenham in the first team, not on loan.

Japan's national team coach, Hajime Moriyasu, said of Takai's recent transfer to Tottenham, `It's really great to be able to challenge calmly. He also has excellent physical abilities. He is also highly skilled, but he boldly performs the play he has to play even under pressure, in an attitude to play better than he is now without being intimidated. His mental part is leading to his growth," he praised.

"I want you to be Virgil van Dijk of Japan. I want you to play consistently." Tottenham is a powerhouse with a history. She also won the European title last season. I hope you will compete in it and contribute to the competition to win the English Premier League (EPL) and the European Champions League (UCL). I hope you go beyond Van Dijk."




Tottenham have fully recruited Kevin Danso and Matisse Tell, who are on loan. Takai is Tottenham's third recruit.





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.