Ko Itakura #4

Profile

After spending three seasons at Borussia Mönchengladbach, Itakura joined Dutch giants Ajax last year, becoming the first Japanese player in the club’s history. A solid, experienced defender who was on Manchester City’s books from 2019 to 2022 without breaking through, he excels in one-on-one defending, but also brings real versatility. He played as a defensive midfielder during his academy years, so has the composure and technique to turn under pressure and contribute to the build-up from the back. He is also known for his cheerful and open personality. His mother believes his remarkable ability to adapt quickly and fit in may stem from his early childhood when he spent the first six-and-a-half years of his life living in company housing shared by around 60 families.

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