Tottenham Signs Japan Defender Kota Takai Second Thomas Frank Transfer

Tottenham Hotspur have strengthened their squad and coaching staff under new manager Thomas Frank as they prepare for the 2025/26 season. The club signed Japanese defender Kota Takai from Kawasaki Frontale on a five-year deal, marking their second signing this summer after securing Mathys Tel permanently. Takai, a highly rated young player named J.League's best young player in 2024, will bolster Tottenham's defense alongside Kevin Danso, Cristian Romero, Mickey van de Ven, and others. Thomas Frank has also restructured the coaching team, promoting internal talents Matt Wells and Stuart Lewis to senior roles and bringing in Fabian Otte, a highly regarded former Liverpool goalkeeper coach, to replace Rob Burch. These changes reflect Frank's intent to stamp his mark on the squad and improve on Tottenham's disappointing 17th-place Premier League finish last season. The club is also pursuing further signings, including winger Mohammed Kudus, as part of their rebuilding efforts.