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Transfers
Kawasaki Frontale fans are all saying the same thing about Kota Takai after Tottenham announce £5m signing
Tottenham have now secured their second signing of the summer as Kota Takai arrives from Kawasaki Frontale.
Spurs had already welcomed Mathys Tel to N17 on a permanent basis after agreeing a £30m fee with Bayern Munich, and Thomas Frank has now seen his backline bolstered through the addition of the Japan international.
The central defender is largely an unknown quantity outside of Japan – with little experience at the age of 20 – so Tottenham fans might be a bit unsure about who exactly is joining their club.
In that respect, let’s take a look at what Kawasaki Frontale supporters have been saying about Kota Takai after sealing his £5m move to north London.
Reaction of Kawasaki Frontale fanbase suggests Tottenham have a gem in Kota Takai
Aside from the player’s own family, there are few better to comment on Takai than Kawasaki Frontale fans, who have watched the man born in Yokohama make 81 appearances in total for their beloved club.
He has also made 14 appearances for the U18 side, having joined Kawasaki Frontale in 2011 at the age of just seven.
The overriding message is one of support, showing that Takai is a much adored figure at Kawasaki Frontale, and has the characteristics to become a fan favourite at Tottenham.
One supporter posted on X (previously known as Twitter): “Looking forward to your success in the Premier League – I’ll keep cheering for you.”
The usual response when a club loses a key man is a feeling of frustration, so it speaks volumes that fans are so happy for Takai to seal a lucrative move to England.
Another added that Takai can “become the world’s best defender” at Tottenham, which may seem like a bold claim.
However, few would have expected Virgil van Dijk to eventually reach that level when swapping Celtic for Southampton in 2015 – a move he made at the age of 24 – so Takai has every chance, with plenty of time on his side at the age of 20.
A third fan opined that an “amazing CB (centre-back) has arrived” at Tottenham, with another writing that he can become “a player who shines on the world stage” after teaming up with Frank in N17.
Suddenly, the centre-back department looks very bright for Tottenham after a difficult 2024/25 campaign in that area
Last season was a mess in central defence. Ange Postecoglou even had to pair Yves Bissouma with Archie Gray at one point, due to a severe injury crisis which sidelined Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero for months.
Now, however, this area of the squad is packed with precocious talent.
Luka Vuskovic has finally arrived at Tottenham after turning 18, a player Spurs spent £12m to sign from Hajduk Split when he was just 16.
The Croatian is not the only talented centre-back for Frank to assess in pre-season, as Spurs also own Ashley Phillips, who Sheffield United are keen to sign. The Blades are even willing to spend £6m on the 20-year-old.
With Takai now joining Vuskovic, Phillips, and not to forget Kevin Danso as well at Hotspur Way, the future seems very bright for Tottenham when it comes to central defenders.