is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Belgian Pro League club Sint-Truidense, on loan from club Tottenham Hotspur, and the Japan national team.
Club career
Kawasaki Frontale Takai was promoted to the Kawasaki Frontale first team ahead of the 2022 season. He made his debut in a 8–0 victory against Guangzhou. At the end of the 2024 J1 League season, Takai was named the J.League's Best Young Player of 2024. He would help Frontale win the 2023 Emperor's Cup and 2024 Japanese Super Cup as well as making it to the 2025 AFC Champions League Elite final for the first time in club history.
Tottenham Hotspur On 8 July 2025, Takai agreed to join Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur on a permanent transfer until 2030. Takai's start to life at Tottenham was delayed after being diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, causing him to miss pre-season and the first matches of the season, returning to training in early September. Takai would play his first minutes for Tottenham with the U21s in a Behind closed doors friendly against Dagenham & Redbridge on 2 December, later making his first matchday squad in a 1–0 away win against Crystal Palace on 28 December.
Loans to Borussia Mönchengladbach and Sint-Truidense On 2 January 2026, Takai joined Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach on loan for the remainder of the 2025–26 season. He made his debut on 11 January 2026 in the 72nd minute as a substitute for Philipp Sander in a 4–0 home win over FC Augsburg.
On 1 September 2026, he joined Belgian Pro League club Sint-Truidense on loan.
International career On 4 April 2024, Takai was called up to the Japan U23 squad for the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup. The same year on 5 September, Takai debuted for Japan national team in a 2026 World Cup qualification against China at the Saitama Stadium 2002, replacing Ko Itakura in the 71st minute of Japan's 7–0 victory.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsKawasaki Frontale2022J1 League00000010—102023140403020—2302024242000040102922025222000060—282Total604403013010814Tottenham Hotspur2025–26Premier League000000000000Borussia Mönchengladbach (loan)2025–26Bundesliga80————80Sint-Truidense (loan)2026–27Belgian Pro League0000—00—00Career total684403013010894
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsJapan202410202530Total40
Honours Kawasaki Frontale Japanese Super Cup: 2024 Emperor's Cup: 2023
Japan U23 AFC U-23 Asian Cup: 2024
Individual J.League Best Young Player: 2024
References
External links Profile at the Tottenham Hotapur F.C. website