Takato Yamamoto: Who is Borussia Dortmund's Japanese midfielder?
A precocious and skilful midfielder with professional experience under his belt and a bright future ahead of him - get to know Borussia Dortmund's Japanese loanee Takato Yamamoto.
Stats correct as of 20 July
Takato Yamamoto
Age: 18 (born 24 August 2007)
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Position: Midfielder
Country: Japan
Key stats
Before joining Dortmund's U23 squad in July 2026 on a season-long loan from Gamba Osaka, Yamamoto had already seen his career begin to move in an upward direction, making a senior bow for the J1 League outfit and breaking into Japan's U19 national side.
A goal on his debut for that team against Mexico in May illustrated an ability to thrive on the big occasion, and that quality was again evident in his first appearance for the senior Dortmund XI in a 3-1 friendly victory versus fourth-tier Rot-Weiß Oberhausen.
Coming on as a second-half substitute, the creative midfielder wowed the crowd with his confident touches and passing range, playing a key role in Serhou Guirassy's 54th-minute strike and scoring a well-worked goal himself in the 78th minute, boosting his chances of further involvement with the senior squad.
Plays a bit like: Shinji Kagawa
Yamamoto is a talented, two-footed midfielder who is adept at linking play in the final third, using his close control and clever movement to beat his man and create space.
Much like the former BVB playmaker, who scored 60 times in 216 games over two separate spells with the club, his attributes also include an excellent first touch, incisive passing and an eye for goal.
While it may be a little early to predict that Yamamoto's career path will emulate that of his illustrious compatriot, the early signs are that he has a bright future at Signal Iduna Park.
Did you know?
While the gifted teenager hit the back of the net and generally made a memorable impact against Oberhausen in his second-half cameo, it was his contribution to an unsuccessful attempt on goal that really raised eyebrows within the Stadion Niederrhein.
In the 87th minute, Yamamoto picked up the ball on the right-hand side of the box. As two defenders closed him down, he produced an incredible left-footed trivela cross for Guirassy, who acrobatically stabbed an effort against the underside of the crossbar - an astonishing moment!
What they're saying
“He showed some good things. I really saw some promising stuff there, and that’s going to be a joy for us.” - Niko Kovač, Dortmund head coach, on Yamamoto's impressive display against Oberhausen
"I can still hardly believe it. Borussia Dortmund – such a great club. It's the first time I've left Japan; everything here is new to me. But I'm ready. I want to learn every day and get better. And I'll give everything to repay this trust." - Takato Yamamoto upon signing for Dortmund
