Dominic Solanke reacts as Tottenham announce brand-new transfer

Dominic Solanke was quick to react to a brand-new Tottenham transfer announcement.

The Spurs players have no doubt been as keen for new faces to arrive at Hotspur Way as Thomas Frank, who has been patiently waiting for Daniel Levy to make his first move.

Tottenham’s squad will be acutely aware of their shortcomings last season and will know they will need to improve, especially with the added pressure of UEFA Champions League football to contend with.

Solanke has quickly become one of the senior figures in the Spurs dressing room despite only arriving last summer and is expected to play a vital role for his new manager, who has already publicly praised the striker.

Credit: Imago

Kōta Takai officially signs for Tottenham

Frank’s second signing after Mathys Tel looked set to be Mohammed Kudus as the Dane seeks a forward as a priority this window. However, West Ham rejected Spurs’ initial bid.

Instead, Kōta Takai has become the first fresh face to walk through the doors at Hotspur Way this summer as Tottenham officially announced his arrival from Kawasaki Frontale on Tuesday (8 July).

The Japan international, who has four senior caps to his name, has signed a contract that will run until 2030. The fee is reported to be around £5million, a record sale from the J1 League, and despite being just 20 years old, the centre-back is expected to compete for a place in the first-team squad.

During his time with Kawasaki Frontale, Takai made a total of 81 senior appearances in all competitions and was integral in helping his team to the 2025 AFC Champions League final.

The defender was recognised with the J1 League’s Best Young Player award in 2024, and ex-Tottenham scout Bryan King has praised Spurs’ signing of Takai.

He wasn’t alone as Solanke took to Instagram to like Tottenham’s post announcing the youngster’s official arrival (8 July).

Spurs future looks bright at centre-back

The addition of Takai to Tottenham’s squad further ensures that the Londoners are well-stocked with young players at centre-back.

He will be competing with the highly-rated Luka Vušković and Ashley Phillips in N17 for a spot in the first team, which already boasts four senior players.

Two of those, Micky van de Ven and Radu Drăgușin, are 24 and 23, respectively and still have plenty of room to improve, showing that the future of Tottenham’s defence is bright.

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