Ao Tanaka is a Japanese international midfielder who plays for Leeds United. He helped the club win the 2024–25 EFL Championship title and return to the Premier League. By the 2025–26 season, he had become a regular in the top flight, wearing shirt number 22 for Leeds.
Born on 10 September 1998 in Osaka, Japan, Tanaka developed through the Cerezo Osaka academy before moving to Europe. His professional journey has taken him from the J1 League to the 2. Bundesliga and now to one of the world’s most competitive leagues.
This profile covers his career statistics, financial details, personal life, and what is known – and not yet confirmed – about the 27-year-old midfielder.
Who is Ao Tanaka?
Ao Tanaka
Leeds United (Premier League)
Central Midfielder
Japanese
- Joined Leeds United in 2024 after two seasons with Fortuna Düsseldorf.
- Scored 2 goals in 28 Premier League matches during the 2025–26 season.
- Market value reported at €10.8 million by Sofascore, though other platforms estimate different figures.
- Regular for Japan with 38 caps and 8 goals through 2026.
- Salary and net worth are not publicly confirmed; estimates vary widely and are not from official sources.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 10 September 1998 |
| Age | 27 (as of 2025–26 season) |
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Preferred foot | Right |
| Youth career | Cerezo Osaka |
| Senior career (2017–2022) | Cerezo Osaka |
| Senior career (2022–2024) | Fortuna Düsseldorf |
| Senior career (2024–present) | Leeds United |
| National team caps | 38 (Japan) |
| Current Premier League stats (2025–26) | 2 goals, 0 assists, 1,314 minutes, 1 yellow card |
| Jersey number | 22 |
| Contract expiry | 30 June 2028 (per Sofascore) |
What are Ao Tanaka’s career stats for 2025–26?
Premier League season in numbers
According to FotMob, Tanaka played 28 matches in the 2025–26 Premier League, starting 14 of them. He scored 2 goals, provided 0 assists, and accumulated 1,314 minutes on the pitch. His average FotMob rating was 6.85, and he received one yellow card. FotMob – Ao Tanaka Stats confirms these numbers.
ESPN reports an identical tally of 2 goals and 0 assists in 28 appearances (14 starts, 14 substitute appearances) for the 2025–26 Premier League season. ESPN – Ao Tanaka lists the same splits.
Three independent sources – FotMob, ESPN, and LiveScore – all show 2 goals and 0 assists for Tanaka in the 2025–26 Premier League. This consistency reinforces the reliability of the data.
Career totals
Across his entire senior club career, Wikipedia – Ao Tanaka records 234 appearances and 24 goals. For Japan, he has 38 caps and 8 goals through 2026. His year-by-year international contributions include 2 appearances in 2019, 3 in 2021 (1 goal), 13 in 2022 (2 goals), 6 in 2023 (3 goals), 6 in 2024 (2 goals), 5 in 2025, and 3 in 2026.
What is Ao Tanaka’s salary and net worth?
Tanaka’s salary is not publicly disclosed by Leeds United. No official figures appear in the club’s announcements or in reliable financial reports. The same applies to his net worth – no verified data exists in the public record.
Sofascore lists his market value at €10.8 million. However, market value is not equivalent to salary or net worth, and valuations can differ across platforms. Transfermarkt’s page for Tanaka does not display season totals in the available snippet, so a direct comparison is not possible from the evidence at hand. Transfermarkt – Ao Tanaka provides the player profile.
Many websites publish estimated salaries or net worth figures for Tanaka. None of those figures could be traced to an official or verifiable source. Until the club or the player’s representatives release concrete numbers, all such estimates should be treated as speculation.
Does Ao Tanaka have a wife or girlfriend?
No confirmed information about a wife or girlfriend is available in the public record. The Wikipedia page for Tanaka does not mention a spouse or partner, and no reputable news outlet has reported a relationship.
Social media accounts can be inferred, but the sources examined do not provide verified details about his marital status or romantic life. It is possible that Tanaka keeps this aspect of his life private, which is common among professional footballers.
Where can I buy an Ao Tanaka jersey?
Tanaka wears shirt number 22 for Leeds United. Official merchandise is typically sold through the Leeds United Official – Ao Tanaka page and the club’s online shop. Replica shirts with his name and number are widely available from major sports retailers.
For comparison with another Leeds midfielder, see the profile of Curtis Jones – Stats, Contract, Parents & Transfer News.
How did Ao Tanaka’s career progress from Japan to the Premier League?
- – Born in Osaka, Japan.
- – Made senior debut for Cerezo Osaka.
- – Transferred to Fortuna Düsseldorf in the 2. Bundesliga.
- – Signed a four-year deal with Leeds United.
- – Scored his first Leeds goal in a 3–3 draw at Hull.
- – Helped Leeds win the EFL Championship title and earn promotion.
- – Made Premier League debut in a 1–0 win over Everton.
- – Scored a late equaliser against Liverpool.
What is known and unknown about Ao Tanaka’s personal and financial life?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Date of birth, height, club history, national team appearances. | Salary – not publicly disclosed; estimates vary and lack official backing. |
| Current Premier League stats from official sources (Leeds United, FotMob, Premier League). | Net worth – no official figures; speculation from fan sites is unverified. |
| Contract runs until 30 June 2028 (per Sofascore). | Wife/girlfriend – no confirmed relationship in media or official biographies. |
| Jersey number 22. | Parents – limited public information; names not widely reported. |
How does Ao Tanaka’s playing style compare to other Japanese midfielders?
Tanaka operates as a box-to-box midfielder. He is comfortable in possession, progresses the ball effectively, and contributes occasional goals from midfield. His style has been compared to that of Hidemasa Morita and Wataru Endo, but Tanaka is younger and tends to have more attacking output.
During Leeds’ 2024–25 Championship promotion campaign, he played a prominent role, scoring five league goals. In the Premier League, the step up in intensity has been noticeable, but his underlying numbers remain solid. For more on another rising midfielder, see Troy Parrott – Full Profile, Stats and Career Highlights.
What do official sources and fans say about Ao Tanaka?
The Leeds United official site describes Tanaka as “a player in the Men at Leeds United.” Fan discussions on platforms like Reddit range from viewing him as inconsistent to considering him one of the best players in the Championship during the promotion season.
FotMob provides a data-driven perspective: Tanaka recorded an average rating of 6.85 across his Premier League appearances in 2025–26. Premier League Official Stats – Ao Tanaka confirms his official match data.
What is the outlook for Ao Tanaka’s career?
Tanaka is expected to remain with Leeds United for the rest of the 2025–26 season. He may be called up for Japan’s World Cup qualifiers. If his form continues, his market value could rise, and interest from higher-profile clubs may emerge. His contract runs until 2028, giving Leeds a strong negotiating position.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Ao Tanaka?
Born 10 September 1998, he is 27 years old as of 2025.
What position does Ao Tanaka play?
Central midfielder.
What is Ao Tanaka’s market value?
Sofascore lists his market value at €10.8 million. Other platforms may offer different estimates.
Does Ao Tanaka have children?
No public information is available.
What shirt number does Ao Tanaka wear?
Number 22 for Leeds United.
Is Ao Tanaka on social media?
He is active on Instagram under a verified account, but details are not publicly confirmed in the sources reviewed.
When did Ao Tanaka join Leeds United?
30 August 2024, on a four-year deal.
How many goals has Ao Tanaka scored for Japan?
8 goals in 38 appearances through 2026.
What was Ao Tanaka’s first Leeds United goal?
A 3–3 draw at Hull City on 4 January 2025.
Jack Thomas Clarke Thompson is a staff writer for PopCultureDaily.co.uk, covering entertainment news, film, television, streaming and celebrity culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Harriet Winslow and Managing Editor Lucas Bennett, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.