Borussia Mönchengladbach sign Japanese defender Ko Itakura from Ajax
Borussia Mönchengladbach have reinforced their defence with the acquisition of Ko Itakura from Ajax. The 28-year-old Japanese international centre-back has signed a contract that runs until 2029. Itakura previously played in the Bundesliga for Schalke 04 and Freiburg, and won the Eredivisie title with Ajax last season. His return to German football is expected to provide Gladbach with a reliable, ball-playing defender as they aim to climb the Bundesliga table.
Read the full story at bundesliga.comGladbach are making a clear statement about their defensive identity by bringing in Ko Itakura, a defender who already knows the Bundesliga from his Schalke and Freiburg spells and arrives as a recent Eredivisie champion. For Ajax, the departure trims a squad that lost key figures and signals a continued reshaping under their current sporting project. Itakura's ball-playing profile should suit a Gladbach side that likes to build from the back, giving manager Gerardo Seoane a more composed option at the heart of the defence.
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Data source: bundesliga.com (via Socc360). Last updated .
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