Ao Tanaka can calmly say he has enjoyed a brilliant first season at Leeds United – having joined the club from Dusseldorf on deadline day back in August 2024.
Daniel Farke had tried to sign Tanaka in the summer of 2023, only to get the Japan star a year later. The Whites paid a bargain fee of £3.4m to land Tanaka and it has proved to be one of the signings of 24-25.
A stunning bit of business, with Tanaka winning a place in the Championship Team of the Season for his exploits. More remarkable given he had only played club football in Japan and Germany’s second tier.
There might have been a few moments towards the end of the season in which Tanaka made an error or two, with Farke even criticising Tanaka. But, the midfielder has probably been the league’s best midfielder.
Ao Tanaka posts personal message to Leeds United supporters
Following promotion, the win over Plymouth and the Championship title and the celebrations after the parade, the majority of the squad have paid tribute to their fans and underlined the joy in going up.
But Tanaka, true to himself – a player that is perhaps shy, even if the language barrier does not help – posted a long-winded message to supporters on Instagram in which he admits he almost “gave up”.
He said on Wednesday morning: “The season is over. For the first time since I came to Europe, I felt that what I had done had paid off. It took me a long time to get here, and I think I have come a long way.
“There were times I almost gave up, but I believed in myself and kept struggling with what I had. That’s why I was able to come this far. I understand better than anyone I have not yet accomplished anything.
“I have only earned the right to stand on the starting line. I’m sure I will face different challenges, but even these will be a source of joy for me. I will strive to make the impossible within me possible.”
Do Leeds need to worry about Ao Tanaka’s future this summer?
There is no doubt that Tanaka’s form will have caught the eye of some Premier League clubs this summer. Certainly, if Leeds had not got promoted, the club may have had to sell Tanaka to a top-flight outfit.
Especially, because he would have earned major profit in the eyes of PSR. Bought for £3.4m, he is easily a £20m player now. Stuart Dallas thinks Leeds may struggle to keep Tanaka, even with the club promoted.
Tanaka’s agent has spoken about Premier League clubs in the past, but surely with promotion now done, Tanaka will stay put at Elland Road and be a heartbeat in midfield in Leeds’ bid to survive relegation.
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