Known for his ability with the ball at his feet, Takaoka joined the 'Caps in February 2023 after enjoying one of his most successful seasons of his career in 2022, as he won the J1 League title with Yokohama F. Marinos and was named to the league's 2022 Best XI.
Takaoka, who became the fourth Japanese player to sign with Vancouver in the club's MLS era, agreed to a contract through 2024, with a club option for 2025.
WHITECAPS FC
'23: In his first season with the ‘Caps, Takaoka tallied a team-high 42 starts and 10 clean sheets across all competitions, earning his first clean sheet on March 8 against Real C.D. España in Concacaf Champions League action. Later that month, the Japanese goalkeeper went on to record a 443 minute shutout streak in MLS play between March 25 and May 6. The run marked the longest such streak in the ‘Caps MLS history and the second longest in the league in 2023. Takaoka recorded another shutout streak at 235 minutes between September 30 and October 21. He was also named to the MLS Team of the Matchday on three separate occasions (Matchday 8, Matchday 9, Matchday 37) and grabbed an assist on Ryan Gauld’s goal against Seattle Sounders FC on July 8, becoming the fifth goalkeeper to assist a goal in the club's MLS era.Â
YOKOHAMA F. MARINOS
'20-'22: Takaoka originally joined Yokohama F. Marinos in 2020 and went on to record 35 clean sheets in 85 appearances across all competitions for the club. In 2022, Takaoka recorded the second-most clean sheets in the J1 League with 13 across 34 starts as he helped Marinos capture the club’s seventh J1 League title. For his efforts, the keeper was named to the 2022 J1 League Best XI. In 2021, Takaoka also recorded the second most-clean sheets in the league with 15, with Marinos finishing the season as runners-up.
SAGAN TOSU
'18-'20: Takaoka made 52 starts across all competitions during three seasons with J1 League side Sagan Tosu.
YOKOHAMA FC
'14-'18: Takaoka began his career with Yokohama FC, signing his first professional contract in 2014 after coming through the clubs youth system. The goalkeeper went on to make 42 appearances across four seasons with the club.
J LEAGUE U-22 SELECTION
'14 & '15: 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.
