BREAKING: First Tottenham January transfer confirmed as statement released

Tottenham Hotspur defender Kota Takai has signed for Borussia Monchengladbach on loan until the end of the season.

The Japan international is yet to make a first-team appearance since signing for Spurs in the summer. His £5million move from Kawasaki Frontale was a record sale for the J-League.

After suffering with injuries, including a thigh problem, Takai returned to action last month in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Leyton Orient for the Under-21s. Now, he will play the second half of the season in the Bundesliga.

"Kota is a tall, physically strong centre-half who also has good pace," Borussia's Head of Sports Rouven Schroder said. "He's got what it takes to help us in the immediate future. We’re delighted to welcome our new number 14."

The defender has joined up with the Monchengladbach's warm weather winter training camp in Turkey. The German side are currently 12th in the Bundesliga table, just five points above the relegation zone.

Their next game is on January 11 against Augsburg and Takai could make his debut. They then take on Hoffenheim and Hamburger SV in quick succession.

Takai's temporary exit is Spurs' first exit this transfer window, though Brennan Johnson is anticipated to join Crystal Palace. The forward is set to join Crystal Palace after being told by Thomas Frank and sporting director Fabio Paratici that he was not part of the club's plans moving forward, football.london understands.

Johnson was Tottenham's top scorer last season with 18 goals, including the one that won the club the Europa League against Manchester United, ending a 17-year-old wait for a trophy.

The Wales international is understood to have undergone his medical on Thursday ahead of his £35million exit. He joined the North Londoners in the summer of 2023 for £47.5m from Nottingham Forest, who will reportedly receive a 10 per cent sell-on clause.

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