Kota Takai: “I’m full of excitement” | OneFootball

What a whirlwind few days for our new signing, Kota Takai.

On Saturday, he lined-up for Kawasaki Frontale in the J League back home in Japan, completing 90 minutes at centre-back in a 2-1 win against Kashima Antlers.

On Monday, he was here at Hotspur Way completing the formalities of his move to Spurs - subject to international clearance and work permit – on a deal that will run until 2030, officially announced on Tuesday morning.

Kota explained: “I played at the match with Kawasaki Frontale in the J-League on Saturday, got on the plane the next day, and I’m here today! I’ve had medical checks, and a lot of filming! Having arrived in London, I’m full of excitement.”

Still only 20, Kota has packed a lot of playing experience into his career to date. He has 81 senior appearances in all competitions under his belt for Kawasaki Frontale, including a Japanese Super Cup medal last year and helping his team reach the final of the prestigious 2025 AFC Champions League in May. His performances in the 2024 J League campaign earned the league’s Best Young Player award.

On the international stage, it’s a similar story. Having featured across multiple age groups, he tasted victory in the AFC Under-23 Asian Cup in 2024 and represented Japan at the Olympics in Paris, reaching the quarter-finals. His displays have been rewarded with a call into Japan’s senior squad, and he made his debut in World Cup qualifying against China in September, 2024. He now has four caps to his name.

“The J League has very high intensity, and its level is high,” he said. “I won the Young Player Award last year and I was very happy. I joined Team Japan - it was always my dream. I remember I had goosebumps when I went on the pitch for the first time as part of the national team.”

Born and raised in Kanagawa Prefecture in the Kanto region of Honshu – Yokohama is the capital of the region - Kota told us he’s ‘always played football, since my childhood’ and he quickly progressed through the ranks at Kawasaki Frontale. He made his debut at just 17 in April, 2022 in an 8-0 victory over Guangzhou in the AFC Champions League.

Now he is ready for a new chapter, both on and off the pitch. “My position is centre-back, I can play either side, left or right,” he added. “Active defending is my strength. At Spurs, my first goal is to be on the pitch for a match and to do my best. I look forward to meeting the fans at the stadium. Come on you Spurs!”