Kota Takai has kept three clean sheets in his first four international appearances for Japan.
Kota Takai has kept three clean sheets in his first four international appearances for Japan. - © Kenta Harada
Kota Takai has kept three clean sheets in his first four international appearances for Japan. - © Kenta Harada
bundesliga

Borussia Mönchengladbach sign Japanese international Kōta Takai on loan from Tottenham Hotspur for rest of 2025/26 season

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Centre-back Kōta Takai, who has four international caps for Japan, is joining Borussia Mönchengladbach from English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur until the end of the season.

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Takai, 21, immediately joined Gladbach's winter training camp in Turkey after switching from Tottenham, whom he joined in summer 2025 and made one matchday squad for in a recent Premier League encounter at Crystal Palace.

The Yokahama native previously made 81 competitive appearances for Kawasaki Frontale and was named Best Young Player in the J-League in 2024.

Gladbach's head of sports Rouven Schröder said: "Kōta is a tall, physically strong centre-half who also has good pace. He’s got what it takes to help us in the immediate future.”

The defender said: “I’m happy to be here, and I feel good and fit."

Takai could make his debut for Gladbach - potentially alongside compatriot Shuto Machino - when Gladbach host Augsburg in their first Bundesliga match of 2026 on Sunday 11 January (kick-off 3.30pm CET).