Kou Itakura - Soccer News, Rumors, & Updates

Targeting return in coming weeks Itakura (muscular) has been ruled out for Sunday's Bundesliga clash against Hoffenheim but could return within the next one to two weeks, according to coach Alexander Blessin. "He'...

Impact Itakura remains sidelined with a muscle fiber tear in his gluteal region, having also missed Borussia Monchengladbach's previous Bundesliga clash against Koln. The Japanese defender has reportedly resumed running exercises at higher intensity but is not yet ready to return to competitive action. Having started every league match before his injury, Itakura remains an important part of Gladbach's defensive setup. His return could come against Stuttgart on October 23 or during one of the following fixtures, although his recovery will determine the exact timing.

OCTOBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Misses Koln clash with ankle issue Itakura (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's clash against Koln.

Impact Itakura is unavailable for Gladbach's return to Bundesliga action after failing to recover sufficiently from an ankle injury during the international break. The defender had started every league match this season, making his absence a significant disruption to the team's backline. Jan Leszczynski could benefit from his absence and receive another opportunity in the starting lineup. Itakura's recovery will need to be monitored ahead of Gladbach's next fixture, with no clear return timeline established.

OCTOBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Hopeful to face Koln Itakura (ankle) is a late call for Sunday's match against Koln, according to manager Alexander Blessin. "It could be a very close call with Ko. We'll have to see how things develop...

Impact Itakura is heading towards some late testing as Gladbach prepares for their first match back from the break, as the defender is still dealing with an ankle injury. This will make the typical starter in the defense a late call, potentially a rough loss for the team if he cannot compete. He has yet to miss a start, so if he were to be left out, Jan Leszczynski could be in for another starting spot.

OCTOBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with minor ankle issue Itakura will undergo further evaluation upon his return to Borussia Monchengladbach after dealing with a minor ankle issue while on international duty with Japan, according to Rhei...

Impact Itakura missed one match for Japan due to the ankle issue before returning to play the full 90 minutes against Ecuador, though he was subsequently left out of Monday's squad. Coach Alexander Blessin didn't appear overly concerned about the problem, but Gladbach will take a closer look at the center back before clearing him for club action. His status for Sunday's derby against Koln should become clearer once he's evaluated and returns to training.

OCTOBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

One block, one interception Itakura blocked a shot, made an interception and three clearances during Saturday's 3-0 loss to Leipzig.

Impact Itakura was a part of the Gladbach back line that conceded three times Saturday leading the team in blocks and interceptions. The defender is a stalwart in defense for Gladbach following his 31 starts last season.

AUGUST 29 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to Gladbach Itakura has returned to Borussia Monchengladbach on a contract through 2030, the club announced.

Impact Itakura originally joined Gladbach in the summer of 2022 from Manchester City, making 80 competitive appearances and scoring seven goals across three seasons before joining Ajax last summer, where he made 26 appearances in all competitions and scored once. Itakura is expected to start in central defense alongside Kevin Diks, stepping into the void left by Nico Elvedi's departure.

AUGUST 20 • ROTOWIRE

Injured for final match day Itakura is questionable for Thursday's match against Olympiacos due to an injury, according to manager Fred Grim.

Impact Itakura is looking to be in doubt for the club's, more than likely, final UCL match of the season, with the defender dealt an undisclosed injury. This will be something to monitor for the club after he started in five of his seven appearances on the team sheet this UCL season, although he was only on the bench in the last game. Youri Bass and Aaron Bouwman are likely to start in the defense with Itakura injured.

JANUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Unused from bench Itakura (undisclosed) went unused off the bench in Saturday's 2-0 loss to AZ Alkmaar.

Impact Itakura was back on the team sheet Saturday after time out with an injury, using the international break to get back fit. However, he was unused, still yet to test his legs. He has started in both UCL games thus far, so he will be expected to return to that role, although they may be cautious after he had yet to see the field.

OCTOBER 21, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Misses due to injury Itakura (undisclosed) missed Saturday's 3-3 draw against Sparta Rotterdam due to injury, coach John Heitinga confirmed in a press conference, according to ADSportwereld. "I think w...

Impact Itakura is dealing with an undisclosed injury that made him miss the last Eredivisie game against Sparta. It remains unclear whether this is a new issue or a setback from his previous ankle injury suffered during the last international break with Japan. The center back is an important figure in Ajax's defense and if he has to miss the game against Chelsea in two weeks, Josip Sutalo will likely have an increased role at the back.

OCTOBER 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Makes five clearances at Marseille Itakura generated five clearancesand one interception in Tuesday's 4-0 defeat to Marseille. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 66th minute.

Impact Itakura led Ajax in clearances and now has 10 in two starts in UCL play. He also led his side in aerials won (three). The centerback did receive his first yellow card in the competition, though.

OCTOBER 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Features 67 minutes Saturday Itakura has featured 67 minutes in Saturday's 3-1 victory against Zwolle, confirming he is fully fit for Ajax.

Impact Itakura featured for more than an hour in Saturday's victory against Zwolle in the Eredivisie, confirming the injury he suffered while on international duty was only minor and that he is fully fit again for Ajax. This is good news for the team since he has been an undisputed starter since his arrival from Gladbach, and he will likely be in the lineup when facing Inter Milan on Wednesday in the Champions League season opener.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Forced off with pain Itakura (undisclosed) was forced off in pain of Saturday's 0-0 draw against Mexico in a friendly game, according to The Chosun Daily.

Impact Itakura was forced off in the 60th minute of Saturday's clash against Mexico after suffering an undisclosed injury. The center-back will likely be assessed once back in Amsterdam to determine the extent of the issue. That said, this is a blow for Ajax since the injury comes only 10 days before the first Champions League clash against Inter Milan, and a potential absence of Itakura would force a change in the starting XI with Josip Sutalo likely replacing him in the backline.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Consistent Bundesliga starter Itakura made 31 starts in the Bundesliga, scoring three goals.

Impact Itakura put together a new career-high for minutes, appearances, and starts during his third campaign in the Bundesliga. The defender put together a nearly identical offensive showing to 2023/24, with three goals, 21 shots and seven on target. This time though, the defense was far better, with Itakura earning six clean sheets.

MAY 21, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Starts for season finale Itakura (undisclosed) is in the starting XI for Saturday's match against Wolfsburg.

Impact Itakura is returning to the starting XI after his absence last match, no surprise after he was training this week. He is a regular starter, starting in all 32 of his appearances this season, so he will be happy to have seen the start immediately.

MAY 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Trains after absence Itakura was back in training Tuesday after missing Saturday's 2-0 loss to Bayern Munich, accoridng to Jan Lustig of Kicker.

Impact Itakura missed Saturday's contest but made his return to training Tuesday, a positive update for the defender. This is good news, as he will likely be an option Saturday if he continues to train. They will hope he is fit, as that would be an addition of a regular starter for their season finale.

MAY 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Scores opener in loss Itakura scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) and one cross (one accurate) in Sunday's 3-2 loss versus Borussia Dortmund.

Impact Itakura scored the opener in the 24th minute with his third goal in the season. The centerback also led Mgladbach in clearances as usual, but couldn't help them avoid the road loss. He's been an important piece in the squad and started 28 times in 2024-25.

APRIL 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Scores opener in 1-1 draw Itakura scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) in Sunday's 1-1 draw against FC St. Pauli.

Impact Itakura scored his team's only goal as they drew 1-1 at St Pauli. The goal came just before halftime and put his team in the lead. This was his second goal of the season and made it back-to-back games where he had a shot on target.

APRIL 7, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Logs double-digit clearances in win Itakura had one shot on goal, made three tackles (all won), 10 clearances and one block and helped his side to keep a clean sheet during Saturday's 1-0 win over RB Leipzig.

Impact Itakura had another game with double-digit clearances to his account while also being helpful on the attacking end as his lone shot generated the rebound that was slotted home by Alassane Plea for the game-winning goal. With 131 clearances over 26 league starts, Itakura ranks fifth in the category among all Bundesliga players, forming with Nico Elvedi one of the most dominant defensive partnerships of the game.

MARCH 31, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Suspension over Itakura is no longer suspended and is an option moving forward for the club.

Impact Itakura missed Friday's 3-1 defeat against Mainz due to suspension but is now back available for Saturday's clash against Bremen. He should get back directly to the starting XI in the defense for that game as he has been a regular starter this season.

MARCH 10, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Will miss next match Itakura was shown his fifth yellow card of the season during Saturday's 3-0 win over Heidenheim.

Impact Itakura was shown the card in the 53rd minute and will miss next week's match against Mainz through suspension.

MARCH 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Recovered from illness Itakura (illness) is in the starting XI for Saturday's match against Stuttgart.

Impact Itakura is good to go after recovering from an illness which kept him out last week against Bochum. The defender returns immediately to the starting XI having started all 19 of his league appearances this season.

FEBRUARY 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Out with illness Itakura (illness) is out for Saturday's match against Bochum.

Impact Itakura is missing his first match of the season Saturday, as he has been left off the team sheet due to an illness. He will hope for a quick turnaround and to return to his regular starting spot again next match, with Marvin Friedrich taking his spot Saturday.

JANUARY 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Saturday Itakura (illness) was ill in the past few days due to an infection but has partially trained on Thursday, coach Gerardo Seoane said in the press conference.

Impact Itakura has trained partially on Thursday morning following a few days with an infection and is therefore questionable for Saturday's game against Bochum. If he can't make the squad, Fabio Chiarodia or Marvin Friedrich (if fit) could replace him in central defense.

JANUARY 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Scores rare goal Itakura scored a goal while taking two shots (one on goal), making an interception, a tackle and four clearances during Saturday's 3-2 win over Heidenheim.

Impact Itakura found the back of the net in the 22nd minute scoring Gladbach's first goal of the match. It was also the first goal of the season for Itakura who has started and played every minute of every match in the Bundesliga thus far.

OCTOBER 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Three shots Sunday Itakura had three shots (zero on goal) in Sunday's 0-0 draw versus Union Berlin.

Impact Itakura was bombing forward whenever he had the chance and he sent a few speculative efforts in to try and cause some issues. He failed to do so as most of his shots were tame to say the least. Still the defender did earn the clean sheet and was looking solid back in the starting XI Sunday.

APRIL 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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