Kota Takai is taking his first steps as a Spurs player after making the switch from Kawasaki to London. It's a journey Kazuyuki Toda will know well.
'Kazu' became our first Japanese player when he joined us on on loan from Shimizu S-Pulse in January, 2003. Kota now follows in his footsteps after signing from J1 League side Kawasaki Frontale in a deal until 2030, announced on Tuesday.
A technical, defensive midfielder, 'Kazu' earned 20 caps for Japan, most notably starting all four matches as Samurai Blue topped a group including Belgium and Russia before losing by the only goal to Turkey in the Round of 16 at the 2002 FIFA World Cup - Turkey went on to reach the semi-finals, where they lost to Brazil.
He played under legendary Spurs figures Ossie Ardiles and Steve Perryman in Japan - the pair still revered in Japanese football to this day, where they were named J League Manager of the Year respectively in 1998 and 1999 for their work at Shimizu S-Pulse - and was 26 when he made the huge step both on and off the pitch as he switched Shimizu-ku in Japan for London, N17.
Legacy Number #674, Kazu spoke about his time at the club when we last caught up back in 2019 - his first visit to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium...
“It was the biggest challenge in my life,” he told us. “I did my best. My ability was not enough, maybe, but I did my best. I played only four first team games for Spurs, but it is still so special for me.
“I was so excited when I knew Spurs were interested in signing me. It was a dream come true. I made as much effort as I could. I have no regrets, I did the best I could. I played with many world-class players - Robbie Keane, Gus Poyet, Jamie Redknapp, Darren Anderton. That was good for me as a footballer. I learned a lot in that time.”
After six unused appearances on the bench, Kazu made his debut as a substitute at home to Manchester City on Good Friday, 2003. Three days later, Easter Monday, his first start and a 3-2 win at West Brom.
Then the game he will always remember...
His first start at the Lane was against champions-elect Manchester United and he lined-up against the fabled midfield of Beckham, Keane, Scholes and Giggs. Scholes and Ruud van Nistelrooy scored in the second half as Sir Alex Ferguson’s men moved five points clear in the Premier League. They went on to lift the title.
“Yes, I was a little nervous!” reflected Kazu.
As he looked across the playing surface at the new stadium, you could almost sense him re-living the day in his mind.
“My wife and my mother came to the stadium to watch. Manchester United were very strong, organised, many world-class players. I was not able to do well! Roy Keane was tough. I remember in the second half I did a big tackle on David Beckham. After that tackle, Roy Keane was staring at me. I remember that!"
Kazu, now 47, joined Dutch side ADO Den Haag after his time at Spurs. He went on to play for another nine years, mainly in Japan, with spells at Gyeongnam in South Korea and his final club, Warriors in Singapore, before retiring in 2013.
“I played for 18 years as a professional," he reflected. "After (the age of) 30, I got many injuries. That was tough but until my last day as a professional, I gave everything and I always remembered this place.
“White Hart Lane was my dream... and now this. This stadium is beautiful, amazing. I feel at home here. White Hart Lane had a great history and I’m sure this stadium will make its own history.
“I really enjoyed my time at Spurs. My son was born here. My family enjoyed it. It was my dream, to come and play in the Premier League. When I was a child, there wasn’t a professional league in Japan. My dream was to play here. I actually did that, my dream came true. I wanted to stay longer, but I have no regrets."
Kazu began his coaching career in 2019 and, when we spoke, said he was 'waiting for a good opportunity'. He was manager of SC Sagamihara in J3 League from 2022-2024.
