Ko Itakura 板倉 滉

Ko Itakura (板倉 滉, Itakura Ko, born 27 January 1997) is a Japanese footballer who plays as center-back or defensive midfielder for 2. Bundesliga club Schalke 04, on loan from Manchester City. He also represents the Japan national team.

Club Career

Born in Yokohama, Ko Itakura joined J1 League club Kawasaki Frontale in 2015, with which he won the 2017 Japanese championship.

He was loaned to Vegalta Sendai in 2018.

In January 2019, he joined Premier League club Manchester City and was immediately loaned to Eredivisie club Groningen, until the summer of 2020. On 24 July 2020, his stay with Groningen was extended with one more year after Groningen and Manchester City agreed.

On 19 August 2021, Itakura signed a season-long loan deal with 2. Bundesliga club Schalke 04 with an option to make the move permanent for €4 million.

International Career

In May 2017, Itakura was called up to the Japan U-20 national team for the 2017 U-20 World Cup. At this tournament, he played 2 matches as defensive midfielder.

He was selected for the senior Japan national football team for 2019 Copa America and made his debut on 20 June 2019 in the game against Uruguay, as a starter.