It’s like a new signing - in fact, it is an actual new signing! Tottenham Hotspur have announced their first new signing of the summer (because Vuskovic, Danso, and Tel don’t count): Kota Takai from J1 League club Kawasaki Frontale.
This transfer has been a few weeks in the making, and not exactly a shining example of Johan Lange moving in secrecy, as we have come to expect. Numerous legitimate reports had declared this was happening with Kawasaki Frontale themselves announcing via a statement last week that Takai was heading offshore to sign with another club.
Kota Takai is a talented, young center back, skilled on the ball and aggressive in defense. Stylistically, he almost brings to mind Cristian Romero; albeit much, much more inexperienced and less physically developed. He does though come with a level of pedigree, earning the J1 League Young Player of the Year award in 2024, and securing four caps thus far for Japan’s national team - no mean feat for a player of his age.
At only 20 years of age, time is on Takai’s side, and Spurs will be hoping this will be yet another young signing that can develop into a quality player for the first team. Whether this will be as depth for the senior squad this season, or further in the future with a loan planned for 2025/26, remains to be seen.
It’s a new signing - let the gif party commence!