Borussia Mönchengladbach has officially signed Japanese defender Ko Itakura from Ajax, marking a significant addition to their squad.

Itakura's Return to Gladbach

Ko Itakura, who previously played for Borussia Mönchengladbach from 2022 to 2025, has rejoined the club on a four-year contract that will keep him at Gladbach until 2030. During his initial tenure, Itakura made 80 appearances across all competitions.

Rouven Schröder, the head of sport at Gladbach, expressed enthusiasm about the signing, stating, “We were already considering bringing Ko Itakura back to Borussia over the winter. We are delighted to have signed a player that brings exactly the experience and quality that we were looking for following Nico Elvedi’s departure.” He emphasized the advantage of Itakura's familiarity with the club, which will help him settle in quickly.

Player's Perspective

Itakura, who will don the No. 6 jersey, shared his excitement about returning to Borussia, saying, “I’m very happy to be back at Borussia. I missed the club a lot and when the offer arrived, I decided to come back. It feels like being back home.” He expressed eagerness to play in front of the fans again.

The 29-year-old defender has a solid background in German football, having previously played for Schalke, where he made 31 appearances and contributed to their Bundesliga promotion in the 2021/22 season while on loan from Manchester City. After his stint at Gladbach, he transferred to Ajax in August 2025.

Upcoming Matches

Itakura could potentially make his second competitive debut for Borussia Mönchengladbach in the DFB Cup first round against Schott Mainz on August 23, followed by a Bundesliga match against RB Leipzig the following week.

This signing not only strengthens Gladbach's defense but also brings back a player who is eager to contribute to the team's success.