Ko Itakura

Ko Itakura is a Japanese centre-back born in Yokohama on 27 January 1997. He developed in Kawasaki Frontale’s academy before making his senior debut in 2016 and helping the club win the 2017 J1 League title. In January 2019, Itakura joined Manchester City and moved to FC Groningen on loan, where he became a regular defender and was named the club’s Player of the Year for 2020–21. A loan to Schalke 04 followed in 2021–22, and his four goals in 31 matches helped the club return to the Bundesliga. Itakura joined Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2022, establishing himself as a ball-playing defender who can also operate in defensive midfield. He represented Japan at the 2022 World Cup, providing the long pass that began the winning goal against Germany. In August 2025, Itakura signed for Ajax, adding an Eredivisie chapter to his European career.