Tottenham ace finalises switch just months after record-breaking transfer and could leave without featuring once

Tottenham defender Kota Takai has sealed a season-long loan switch to Borussia Mönchengladbach.

The Japan international arrived at Spurs last summer from Kawasaki Frontale in a £5 million deal, the highest fee ever paid for a J1 League export. But his debut campaign in north London was hampered by injuries, restricting his opportunities to break into the first team. Takai first battled plantar fasciitis before later suffering a thigh issue. Although the 21-year-old returned to action with Tottenham’s Under-21s in early December, he leaves for Germany without featuring at senior level.

He was included in a Spurs matchday squad for the first time last weekend, remaining an unused substitute during the 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace. He then missed Thursday’s draw at Brentford, with his move to Mönchengladbach confirmed the following day.

The Bundesliga side revealed that Takai has already linked up with the squad in Turkey for their winter training camp. According to Rheinische Post, the agreement contains an option to buy, raising the possibility that he may never make a first-team appearance for Tottenham. Mönchengladbach sporting director Rouven Schröder welcomed the signing, describing Takai as “a tall, powerful centre-back with good speed” who can contribute straight away, adding that the club are delighted to have him as their new number 14.

The club also released behind-the-scenes footage of Takai’s first day, including his medical, as they look for his arrival to help improve results. Mönchengladbach currently sit 12th in the Bundesliga, five points above the relegation places.

Takai made his name at Kawasaki Frontale, where he featured 81 times after making his debut at just 17 in 2022. His form earned him a senior Japan call-up in 2024, and he has since collected four caps. After signing a contract with Spurs running until 2030, Japanese football analyst Alan Gibson previously highlighted Takai’s potential, praising his pace, height and eye-catching performance against Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mané and Jhon Durán in the Asian Champions League.

Takai is the second young Tottenham defender to move to the Bundesliga this season, following Luka Vušković’s loan to Hamburg after an impressive pre-season.