Bundesliga comeback: Borussia Mönchengladbach eye Ko Itakura's return

Japanese international Ko Itakura is on the brink of a sensational Bundesliga return as Borussia Mönchengladbach prepare to complete his re‑signing, with a medical scheduled for Wednesday and a guaranteed €3.5 million fee reported by Sky Germany, after the German side reached a full agreement with Ajax Amsterdam.

Deal terms and financials

Sky Germany Borussia Mönchengladbach will pay a guaranteed €3.5 million for the 29‑year‑old defender, with an additional €500,000 possible through bonuses. Ajax Amsterdam have also secured a sell‑on percentage as part of the agreement, meaning the total package could ultimately rise to around €12 million. This contrasts with the €10.5 million guaranteed fee Gladbach received when they sold Itakura to Ajax last summer.

The Japanese international is expected to undergo his medical on Wednesday, finalising the full agreement already reached between the clubs. After the examination, Gladbach plan to register Itakura promptly, allowing him to join the squad before the transfer window closes. The deal marks a rare instance of a club re‑acquiring a player for less than half the guaranteed amount it previously received.

First spell at Borussia

Itakura’s initial spell at Borussia Mönchengladbach began in 2022 after the club signed him from Manchester City. During three seasons he made roughly 80 competitive appearances, establishing himself as a key Bundesliga defender. He contributed three Bundesliga goals in the 2024/25 campaign and was praised for his technical ability, which even saw head coach Gerardo Seoane deploy him occasionally in midfield.

His 2025 move to Ajax saw him feature regularly until a winter back problem disrupted his campaign. The Japanese defender never became indispensable for the Dutch side, and new head coach Míchel Sánchez does not consider him central to future plans. Consequently Ajax have agreed to accept a substantial loss only twelve months after paying the €10.5 million fee.

Gladbach’s defensive solution

German side Borussia Mönchengladbach faces a vacancy in central defence after Nico Elvedi’s pending €10 million transfer to Leeds United. Sporting director Rouven Schröder intends Itakura to replace Elvedi, partnering with Kevin Diks under manager Eugen Polanski. The German club believes Itakura’s familiarity with the Bundesliga and existing squad reduces adaptation risk.

The timing aligns with Gladbach’s need to resolve one of their most pressing late‑window requirements, according to GGFN’s tactical preview for the 2026/27 season. German observers note that Itakura’s ability to operate in both a back four and back three provides tactical flexibility. Japan’s national team will also benefit from his regular playing time in a top European league.

If the Wednesday medical proceeds without complications, Ko Itakura will complete one of the more unusual recent Bundesliga transfer cycles by returning to Borussia Mönchengladbach. His re‑entry into the German league comes just twelve months after leaving the same stadium, underscoring the rapid turnaround of his career path.