Ajax and German soccer club Borussia Monchengladbach have reached a deal on the transfer of Ko Itakura, with the Japanese defender signing a contract until mid-2029 in Amsterdam.

The 28-year-old Itakura is the first Japanese player for Ajax. The agreement includes an option for another season.

"Everyone in Japan knows Ajax," Itakura said in a press release of his new club. "I hope to play well here and make people proud."

Itakura progressed through the youth academy of Kawasaki Frontale in Japan, where he also made his professional debut.

After a period at Vegalta Sendai, he signed for Manchester City in 2019 and was loaned out to Dutch club FC Groningen and German club Schalke 04.

In the summer of 2022, Itakura moved to Borussia Monchengladbach and stayed there until now. In signing the defender, Ajax faced competition from reigning Dutch champions PSV and Feyenoord, but ultimately secured a deal with the player and their club.