3 Ko Itakura
Ko Itakura, 1997-01-27, Defender for Japan, plays for Ajax. 35 international caps, 1 goals. Part of Japan's 2026 World Cup Group F squad.
Biography
Borussia Mönchengladbach centre-back and a pillar of Japan's defence. Currently plying his trade at Ajax, a dependable defender, Ko Itakura combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of Japan's backline. Has earned 35 international caps, scoring 1 goal. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances.
Career Timeline
In 2025, he became the first Japanese player in history to sign for Ajax.
Known for his ball-playing ability, versatility, and defensive anticipation, Itakura began his career in the J1 League with Kawasaki Frontale before moving to Europe in 2019.