Here is all you need to know about Japanese footballer Ko Itakura including his age, height, career, and playing style as Premier League clubs monitor him
According to Fabrizio Romano, several elite European clubs are interested in Borussia Mönchengladbach centre defender Ko Itakura.
Who is Ko Itakura, bio, age, height, position, jersey number, style of play and career stats
The Italian transfer market insider claims that Tottenham and Liverpool are two teams monitoring the Japanese defender.
Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou has long been a fan of the player after following him when he was at Celtic, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who also notes that Liverpool has sent scouts to watch the Japan international in action. Here is all about the Japanese international.
🇯🇵 Ko Itakura, one to watch in 2024 as top clubs are monitoring Japanese CB.
Understand Liverpool have sent their scouts multiple times to follow Itakura’s performances.
Tottenham also monitored him as Ange Postecoglou wanted Ko at Celtic.
Release clause NOT valid in January. pic.twitter.com/E6Ce08dAd4
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 1, 2024
Who is Ko Itakura?
Ko Itakura, a defensive midfielder or centre-back for both the Japan national team and Bundesliga team Borussia Mönchengladbach, was born on January 27, 1997, in Yokohama, Japan. The 26-year-old player measures 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) tall and wears the number 3 jersey in the Bundesliga.
A look at Ko Itakura’s career
In 2015, Itakura became a member of Kawasaki Frontale, a J1 League team, and together they won the 2017 Japanese title. 2018 saw him loaned to Vegalta Sendai.
Though he never played for the Premier League winners, the 26-year-old joined with Manchester City in 2019 after playing for his childhood team, Kawasaki Frontale. Rather, he went on loan to Schalke and Groningen, where he earned a move to Gladbach in 2022.
Itakura signed a season-long loan agreement with 2. Bundesliga team Schalke 04 on August 19, 2021, with the option to sign a permanent deal for £5 million. Meanwhile at the end of the season, he was promoted to the Bundesliga side Schalke.
He returned to Germany on July 2, 2022, and forked over a €5 million transfer fee to become a permanent member of Bundesliga team Borussia Mönchengladbach.
He started out in the Bundesliga and quickly made an impression, mostly playing centre defence but also having the ability to play holding midfield. Itakura has a contract with Gladbach that runs until 2026, and he does not have a release clause in place for the January transfer window.
Ko Itakura’s style of play
Mostly a centre defensive player, Ko Itakura is also capable of holding midfield.