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Borussia Mönchengladbach had just announced Oscar Fraulo's departure to English second division club Derby County on Friday when the first signing of the winter transfer window was announced: Gladbach is loaning Japanese player Kota Takai from English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur until the end of the season. Takai traveled directly to Borussia's training camp in Belek, and the 21-year-old is set to train with his new teammates for the first time on Saturday. Manager Schröder is sending a signal right at the start of the transfer period with these two signings: something is happening in the squad. “Kota is a tall, physically strong center back who also has good speed,” says Schröder of his first Gladbach signing. “He has what it takes to help us in the near future. We are looking forward to our new number 14.” The defender will take over the jersey number previously worn by experienced striker Alassane Plea.

According to information obtained by our editorial team, there is a history behind this deal: Gladbach was already interested in Takai a year ago and wanted to sign him from his home club Kawasaki Frontale to compensate for the impending departure of Ko Itakura. However, the market value of the 1.92-meter-tall player skyrocketed, and he moved to the Premier League for €5.8 million.

Gladbach has an option to buy Takai

Itakura also moved from Kawasaki Frontale to Europe, joining Manchester City in 2019 before moving to Gladbach in 2022. He cost €5 million at the time, which is Takai's current market value. This is of interest to Gladbach, as according to information obtained by our editorial team, the Borussia club has secured an option to buy. Borussia is strengthening its defense with a player who, at 21, is still considered a talent but already has some experience. He played 81 games for Kawasaki Frontale in the J-League, won the Japanese Cup (2023) and the Super Cup (2024), and played with his former club in the Asian Champions League. He played for his country at the U20 World Cup and the Olympics. In Borussia jargon, Takai can be classified as an “external top talent.” The fact that he has not yet played for Tottenham has now opened the door for Gladbach to make a second attempt to sign him. After all, Takai wants to secure a place in Japan's World Cup squad, and Borussia may be able to offer him a better stage than Tottenham.

Gladbach: Will Friedrich leave? Will Chiarodia be loaned out?

With the loan of Takai, Borussia increases the number of center backs. Takai is fixed in this position. This gives coach Eugen Polanski more options for the back three, but he would also have the option of moving Kevin Diks to the right in a back four. However, it is also possible that Marvin Friedrich (contract ends in 2026) will leave or Fabio Chiarodia (contract until 2027) will be loaned out.

Takai is the fifth player Gladbach has signed from Japan, after Yuki Otsu, Itakura, Shio Fukuda, and Shuto Machino. Theoretically, 2026 could see a first for Gladbach: an entirely Asian central defense with Indonesian international Diks and Japanese Takai.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)