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EN
20 January 2019
Who is Ko Itakura, the Manchester City new signing ?
Seen at the Maurice Revello Tournament 2018, the 21-year-old Japanese defender has been signed by Manchester City over the last days and has been loaned out immediately to Eredivisie in order to adapt to European football.
One more Japanese in Europe. Like a number of his fellow countrymen, Ko Itakura has joined Europe this winter. The 21-year-old defender has penned a contract with Manchester City before being loaned out to the Dutch side FC Groningen until June 2020.
? boys in town!?
— FC Groningen English (@FCGroningen_EN) 16 janvier 2019
Paul Gladon??
Mo El Hankouri??
Ko Itakura??
4.30 pm live press conference ➡️ https://t.co/mHlrrf9eOQ#FCGroningen pic.twitter.com/lb5479Fq8Q
If he impresses in Eredivisie, Itakura could have an opportunity to force his way into the Citizens first-team at the end of his loan spell. In the meantime, the Yokohama-born will try to confirm with Groningen the good form showed in J-League.
Under the Vegalta Sendai shirt, Itakura has enjoyed a promising campaign : 24 games played and 3 goals scored. He has notably been named for the « TAG Heuer Young Guns Award », which is the J-League team of the season composed only of players aged 23 or less.
／#ヤングガンアワード
— Goal Japan (@GoalJP_Official) 17 décembre 2018
受賞選手が決定?⌚
＼
▽GK
林瑞輝
▽DF
板倉滉
橋岡大樹
杉岡大暉
宮原和也
▽MF
三好康児
守田英正
遠藤渓太
▽FW
鈴木優磨
北川航也
オナイウ阿道
2018年の『TAG Heuer YOUNG GUNS AWARD』受賞選手の詳細は?https://t.co/mw895PoheV@TAGHeuerJapan#TAGHeuer pic.twitter.com/fZGv4G2h9H
Itakura has established himself as one of the best youngsters in the country. Brilliant in J-League, he has also shone with his national team.
Member of the Japan squad that took part in the Maurice Revello Tournament 2018 (four games played), Itakura has then helped the Samurai Blue to reach the Asian Games final.
Now, It’s time to continue his development in Europe.
Amayes Brahmi
