Ko Itakura
|
Itakura with Ajax in 2026 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Kō Itakura | ||
| Date of birth | 27 January 1997 | ||
| Place of birth | Aoba-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan | ||
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | |||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Ajax | ||
| Number | 4 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2006–2014 | Kawasaki Frontale | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2015–2018 | Kawasaki Frontale | 7 | (0) |
| 2015 | → J. League U-22 (loan) | 2 | (0) |
| 2018 | → Vegalta Sendai (loan) | 24 | (3) |
| 2019–2022 | Manchester City | 0 | (0) |
| 2019–2021 | → FC Groningen (loan) | 56 | (1) |
| 2021–2022 | → Schalke 04 (loan) | 31 | (4) |
| 2022–2025 | Borussia Mönchengladbach | 75 | (6) |
| 2025– | Ajax | 14 | (1) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2013 | Japan U16 | 2 | (0) |
| 2015–2017 | Japan U20 | 8 | (1) |
| 2018–2021 | Japan U23 | 24 | (6) |
| 2019– | Japan | 39 | (2) |
Medal record | |||
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 24 January 2026 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 18 November 2025 | |||
Ko Itakura (板倉 滉, Itakura Kō; born 27 January 1997) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or defensive midfielder for Eredivisie club Ajax and the Japan national team.
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. After successful loan spells at FC Groningen and FC Schalke 04, he established himself in the Bundesliga with Borussia Mönchengladbach. In 2025, he became the first Japanese player in history to sign for Ajax.