Kota Takai: Career, Net Worth, Awards & Family

Kota Takai is a tall and strong Japanese centre-back, considered one of the most promising young defenders in Asia today. He is 6 feet 3 inches tall and he has become a crucial part of the Kawasaki Frontale's backline. His professional career kicked off in 2022, and since then, Takai has made his mark with his impressive performances.

Takai helped the team to win the 2024 Japanese Super Cup, following which, he received a call from the Japan national football team. His consistent performances led to Tottenham Hotspur signing him for £5 million in July 2025, a record transfer fee for a J.League centre-back. Kota is an expert at reading the game with a calm mind and remains calm under pressure. As a left-footed player, his technical ability is also top-class in the sense of modern football. Now, the expectations from him are that Tokai will shine in Europe as well and will also become a key player for the club and the Japanese team in the future.

Who is Kota Takai?

Kota Takai is a talented footballer from Japan who currently plays for Tottenham Hotspur and the Japan national team. He was not a centre-back initially and played as a left-back and defensive midfielder in the Kawasaki junior team. But his height, left-foot accuracy, and strength made him the perfect defender.

Kota Takai Net Worth

Kota Takai net worth is estimated to be around $10.5M. Kota Takai net worth reflects his rising profile as a top defender in Asia, Japan. With a market value of €2.5M, he ranks among the most valuable players in the J.League, thanks to strong seasons and a recent move to Tottenham.

What is Kota Takai Salary?

Kota Takai salary per week at Kawasaki Frontale was £3,001 (approximately ₹3.3 lakh). This compensation reflected his fast rise as a top defensive talent in the J-League and aligns with earnings for promising homegrown players in Japan's top tier. However, following his recent move to Tottenham Hotspur, as of July 8, 2025, there is no information available about Kota Takai's current salary.

Strengths and Style of Play

Takai, with his towering height, has a dominant presence on the pitch. His tactical awareness, ball-playing skills and agility set him apart from other defenders - especially while playing in a high defensive line. Although he's primarily a centre-back, Takai can also play as a right back. His playing style has often been compared to modern-day defenders, as highlighted in an analysis by cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com.

Kota Takai Family and Early Life

Kota Takai was born in Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, and joined Kawasaki Frontale youth academy in 2011 at the age of just 7. Not much information is available about Kota Takai family but his dream to become a professional footballer was supported by them. He initially played as a left-back, then tried out the central midfield role as well, which significantly improved his passing range and tactical understanding.

When the academy coach gradually made him a centre-back, his height, awareness, and game-observation skills started to glow. His consistent performances at the youth level have made him one of the most promising young defenders in Japan. Apart from regular training sessions, he was also proactive in video analysis and tactical drills, which shaped his maturity and professional outlook at an early age. This focused upbringing and all-around development make him one of the most talented defenders in Japan.

Who is Kota Takai Girlfriend?

As of July 8, 2025, is no publicly available information about Kota Takai girlfriend. He is only 20 years old and is currently focused on his football career and building a name for himself at the club and national level. Takai also seems to be a very private person who keeps his personal life away from the spotlight.

Kota Takai Career

Kota Takai made his professional debut for Kawasaki Frontale in 2022. He also played an important role in the team winning in the Japanese Super Cup in 2024. His amazing performance led to his first appearance for the Japan national team in September 2024.
Then, in July 2025, Takai signed a record £5 million transfer with Tottenham Hotspur — the biggest deal ever for a J.League center-back. The deal will hold the player at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium till the year 2030. The transfer showcases his talent and also shows how much European clubs now respect the discipline and football intelligence of Japanese players.

Club Career

Kota Takai was a crucial part of the Kawasaki Frontale defence since signing his first professional contract in 2022. He played over 50 matches for the club and has been very useful not only in defence, but also in attack, having scored crucial goals in several tight matches.

His patience with the ball, his ability to play from the back, and his ability to adapt to both back-three and back-four system have made him a dependable player for the team. A coach and football expert have openly praised his maturity and game-observation skills, especially considering his young age. It'll be interesting to see how he fares at Tottenham Hotspur in the coming season.

International Career

Kota Takai made his Japan senior team debut on September 5, 2024, in a World Cup Qualifier match against China-and has since earned 4 caps at the senior level. At the U23 level, he also played in the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup and the Paris Olympics 2024, making his mark by playing approximately 8 matches.

Kota Takai Awards and Achievements

Right from the start of his promising career, Kota Takai's consistent performances, leadership, and maturity have helped secure and solidify his position as a remarkable young defender for both club and country. While he's still very young and there's a lot more accolades waiting to come his way during the course of his career, let's take a look at Kota Takai awards and achievements as of July 8, 2025, in the table below: