is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for German club Schalke 04 and the Japan national team.
Club career
Shonan Bellmare On 5 April 2019, Tanaka was registered as a type-2 player with Shonan Bellmare. On 26 May 2020, he was promoted to the first team squad. Tanaka made his professional league debut against Yokohama F. Marinos on 8 July 2020. He scored his first league goal for the club against Sanfreece Hiroshima, scoring in the 56th minute.
Kortrijk (loan) On 22 August 2022, Tanaka joined Kortrijk in Belgium on loan with an option to buy. He made his league debut for the club against Standard Liège on 28 August 2022. On 4 June 2023, Tanaka returned to Shonan Bellmare from his loan spell.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima On 30 December 2024, Tanaka was announced at Sanfrecce Hiroshima on a permanent transfer. He scored his first league goal for the club against Thep Xanh Nam Dinh in the AFC Champions League Two on 12 February 2025, scoring in the 88th minute. Tanaka made his league debut for the club against Machida Zelvia on 16 February 2025.
During his time at Sanfreece Hiroshima, Tanaka won the 2025 Japanese Super Cup.
Fortuna Düsseldorf On 30 December 2025, Fortuna Düsseldorf signed Tanaka on a deal until summer 2030, for a reported transfer fee of €1 million.
Schalke 04 On 10 June 2026, Tanaka signed a four-year contract with Schalke 04, after they had triggered his release clause of an estimated €1 million.
International career On 12 February 2019, Tanaka was called up to the Japan U17s for the first time.
On 4 October 2019, Tanaka was called up to the Japan U17 squad for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
On 4 April 2024, Tanaka was called up to the Japan U23 squad for the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup. Japan won the competition for the second time in their history.
Tanaka was called up Japan national team squad for the 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship. He made his debut on 12 July 2025 in a 2–0 win over China.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinental OtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals Shonan Bellmare2020J1 League1700020——1902021J1 League3622060——4422022J1 League1701060——2402023J1 League1102000——1302024J1 League3353000——365Total114780140——1367Kortrijk (loan)2022–23Belgian Pro League15010———160Sanfrecce Hiroshima2025J1 League28142509110474Fortuna Düsseldorf2025–262. Bundesliga130————130Schalke 042026–27Bundesliga3010———40 Career total1738142190915021611
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsJapan202510202620Total30
Honours Sanfrecce Hiroshima J.League Cup: 2025 Japanese Super Cup: 2025 Japan U23 AFC U-23 Asian Cup: 2024 Japan EAFF Championship: 2025 Individual J.League Best XI: 2025
References
External links Profile at the Schalke 04 website