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Vancouver Whitecaps FC have announced that the club has acquired Japanese goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka from J1 League side Yokohama F. Marinos. Takaoka has agreed to a contract through 2024, with a club option for 2025, via the use of Targeted Allocation Money and will occupy an international roster spot – pending receipt of his international transfer certificate and work permit.
“We were looking to add some experience to our goalkeeper group this offseason and when we learned Yohei was an option, we acted quickly,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director. “He arrives with a winning mentality, has played for championships, and was in the J1 League’s best XI last year. We’re very pleased to welcome Yohei to our club and city.”
Takaoka, 26, arrives in Vancouver after helping Yokohama F. Marinos capture the club’s seventh J1 League title, while recording the second-most clean sheets with 13 across 34 starts. For his efforts, the keeper was named to the 2022 J1 League Best XI. Takaoka originally joined Yokohama F. Marinos in 2020 and recorded 35 clean sheets in 85 appearances across all competitions for the club.
“I think this will be a good challenge for me, I needed a new challenge and that’s why I came here,” said Takaoka. “I’m looking forward to everything, from living in Vancouver to playing new teams and doing my best for the club. I look forward to seeing all the fans soon at BC Place.”
Before joining Marinos, the native of Yokohama, Japan previously played for fellow J1 League side Sagan Tosu, where he made 52 starts across all competitions.
Takaoka originally started his career with Yokohama FC in 2014, making 42 appearances across four seasons with the club. During his time with Yokohama FC, Takaoka went on loan to J League U-22 Selection, a J3 League team at the time that featured players aged 22 and below. The goalkeeper started two of his four appearances for the side across two separate loan stints in 2014 and 2015.
Across his career, Takaoka has amassed 59 clean sheets in 183 appearances.
Takaoka becomes the fourth Japanese player and first goalkeeper to sign with Vancouver in the club’s MLS era.
