Ao Tanaka

Ao Tanaka is a Japanese midfielder born in Kawasaki on 10 September 1998. He developed in Kawasaki Frontale’s youth system after beginning at Saginuma SC, and his progress included training with the club’s under-18 side alongside future internationals Kaoru Mitoma and Ko Itakura. Tanaka made his J1 League debut for Kawasaki Frontale in 2018 and scored six minutes after coming on. In 2019, he became the first Frontale player to win the J.League Rookie of the Year award, before helping the club win the 2020 league title. He moved to Fortuna Düsseldorf in 2021, gaining experience in Germany and strengthening his defensive work. Tanaka joined Leeds in 2024 and helped them win the 2024–25 EFL Championship, while receiving the Players’ Player of the Year award. He also represents Japan and scored against Spain at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Xtra rating

1742

Global rank

1435

Updated: 25 October 2026

Country of Birth

Japan

Preferred Foot

N/A

Agent

N/A

Latest Signing Fee

N/A

Date of Birth

10 September 1998

Position

Midfielder

Shoes

N/A

Wage

N/A

Season snapshot

Overall season statistics (all competitions).

Season	Matches	Minutes	Goals	Assists	G/90	A/90
2026	27	1658	1	2	0.05	0.11
2025	34	1735	4	0	0.21	0
2024	48	3668	5	2	0.12	0.05
2023	40	3033	11	3	0.33	0.09
2022	37	2929	3	3	0.09	0.09
2021	50	3474	2	5	0.05	0.13
2020	37	2733	5	2	0.16	0.07
2019	28	2282	1	1	0.04	0.04
2018	4	165	1	0	0.55	0