“I’m very happy to join this big club,” said Itakura. “Ajax is one of the biggest clubs in the world. I’ve played in the Netherlands so I know how big it is and this is why I’m so happy to join this club.

"Everyone in Japan knows Ajax. So I hope to play well here and bring good news to Japan. After I came to Europe I played for Groningen and I saw how big is Ajax. This stadium is always full and the fans are good. It’s difficult to play against them in this stadium.

“Ajax is the top. When I played in Groningen, Ajax was always the champion. This is Ajax. I want to help the team to be champion and I want to win every game with good football. I think this is Ajax.

“I always try 100 percent for the team. I like to play football. I think my style is very good the style of Ajax. I always try to get goals from the corner kick and I hope I will score.”

Itakura joins Ajax after three seasons with Monchengladbach, where he played 81 times in all competitions.

 

He previously won the J1 League title with Kawasaki Frontale in 2017 before moving to Europe, signing for Manchester City but immediately going on loan for two years with Groningen.

 

Itakura also spent a season on loan at Schalke 04 in Germany before signing permanently with Monchengladbach in 2022.

 

The Yokohama-born defender has played 37 times for the Samurai Blue, including making three appearances at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022 and four at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.