Rento Takaoka

Southampton On 19 June 2024, Takaoka signed a pre-contract with Premier League club Southampton. He remained with Nissho Gakuen High School until he turned 18 in March 2025 and graduated from high school.

On 6 August 2025, Takaoka joined Valenciennes on a season-long loan. After suffering a stress fracture in his foot, he returned from loan to Southampton on 9 April 2026.

Patro Eisden On 30 July 2026, Takaoka joined Patro Eisden on a permanent transfer.

International career Takaoka was called up to the Japan under-17 in March 2023 for a friendly tournament in Algeria. In June of the same year, he represented Japan at the 2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup, scoring once against Australia. Plus, in August, he won the MVP award at 2023 Balcom BMW cup, which was held by JFA.

He was called up again to the squad for the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup, and in the opening game against Poland, his goal in the 76th minute secured a 1–0 win for Japan. Having scored once more in Japan's 3–1 defeat to Argentina, he scored twice as they finished the group with a 2–0 win against Senegal, securing qualification to the knock-out rounds. In the end, his national team finished their first global tournament at the round of 16.

Career statistics