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.
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.
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.
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: