The 29-year-old has signed a contract running until 2030 and returns after spending the 2025-26 campaign in the Netherlands. Itakura is expected to help fill the defensive gap left by Nico Elvedi, who ended 11 years at Gladbach to join Leeds United.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sporting director Rouven Schroder said the club had already considered bringing Itakura back during the winter and welcomed the opportunity to complete the move.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"We are very happy that we have been able to sign a player whose quality and experience exactly match the profile we were looking for after Nico Elvedi's departure,\" Schroder said, as quoted by Xinhua.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He added that Itakura's familiarity with the club should allow him to settle quickly, while stressing that the defender had been eager to return.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"I am very happy to be back at Borussia,\" Itakura said. \"I missed the club a lot and, when the offer came, I immediately decided to return. For me, it feels like home again.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Itakura originally joined Gladbach from Manchester City in the summer of 2022 and established himself as a regular during three seasons with the club.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"I am very happy to be back at Borussia,\" Itakura said. \"I missed the club a lot and, when the offer came, I immediately decided to return. For me, it feels like home again.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Before his first move to Gladbach, Itakura spent about two and a half years on loan at Dutch side Groningen after joining Manchester City from Japan in January 2019. He later played the 2021-22 season on loan at Schalke 04, scoring four goals in 31 second-tier appearances. At international level, Itakura has won 42 senior caps for Japan and scored twice for the national side.<\/p>\r\n\r\n