New Delhi, June 24 -- Tottenham Hotspur are set to sign Japanese defender Kota Takai in a £5 million deal. The 20-year-old will likely join the club next month and he is poised to become a key part of manager Thomas Frank's first-team squad.

Kota Takai was born in Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, in 2004. He started his football journey with River FC during his initial years. His talent was recognised and soon he got recruited by the J-League side Kawasaki Frontale's academy. Takai honed his skills and became a significant central defender for the team.

Takai made his senior debut in April 2022, when he featured in an 8-0 victory over Guangzhou and marked the start of his professional career on a high note.

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