Kota Takai became Tottenham Hotspur’s second summer signing after the North London club confirmed the deal on Tuesday.
As revealed by TBR Football, Tottenham beat strong competition to sign Takai, with Liverpool, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich all going to watch him.
Tottenham have paid £5m to sign Takai from Kawasaki Frontale, and he is expected to join Thomas Frank’s squad for the season ahead.
The Japanese international completed his first training session as a player of Tottenham Hotspur, and the club’s supporters all noticed the same thing.
Kota Takai’s height impresses Tottenham fans
Tottenham fans have been impressed by the height of their new central defender Kota Takai after seeing images of him in training for the first time.
The 20-year-old stands at six feet three, making him the joint tallest at the club, along with Luka Vuskovic, Micky van de Ven and Ashley Phillips.
Vuskovic’s size also shocked Tottenham fans, and both young defenders could certainly have an impact on Frank’s squad next season.
Kawasaki Frontale fans think Takai is a ‘gem’ and have been hyping him up after his prestigious move to the Premier League.
The defender already has a great deal of experience, with Frontale and Takai facing Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr in the AFC Champions League.
The J1 League club actually beat Ronaldo’s team 3-2 to reach the final of the competition, where they eventually went on to lose to Al Hilal.
But now, the youngster will need to prove himself in the Premier League, and supporters are confident his size will help him settle in.
One fan had very high praise for the Japan defender: “Kota Takai was grown in a lab as a Paulo Maldini clone. Exciting Times Ahead.”
Another added: “Takai’s massive!”
Finally, another claimed: “Our new wall!”
Kota Takai is buzzing to play in the Premier League
Takai admitted in his first interview as a Tottenham player that he cannot wait to become a Premier League player.
The 20-year-old revealed that he’s watched the English top flight for so many years, and now he has the chance to make his mark in the league.
The defender went on to add that he can play on either side as a central defender, which will be a useful trait for Frank to have at his disposal.
Speaking to Tottenham Hotspur’s official YouTube channel, Takai said: “My position is centre-back, I can play on either side – right or left.
“I’ve always watched the Premier League a lot since I was little. At Spurs, my first aim is to be on the pitch for a match and do my best.”
The Japan star will have his chance to make his first impression on the fans in less than nine days when Spurs face Reading in a friendly.