Ao Tanaka is retained at Leeds United until June 2028. The 27-year-old midfielder earns £25,000 per week.
Verified August 25, 2026
Ao Tanaka
Current Club: Leeds United
🌍 Japan
💰 Weekly Wage: £25,000/week
📅 Contract: Expires June 30, 2028 (1 year remaining)
Contract and Personal Information
Ao Tanaka earns 60.6% below the average midfielder wage of £63,417/week tracked across the database. See position pay gap →
About
Ao Tanaka is a Japanese midfielder who plies his trade for Leeds United. Born in 1998, he launched his professional career at Kawasaki Frontale in the J1 League, making more than 90 appearances before moving to Germany with Fortuna Düsseldorf in 2021, initially on loan and then permanently. His form there earned a transfer to Leeds in the summer of 2024 for a reported fee of around €4.1 million. A versatile operator comfortable in both deep and advanced central roles, Tanaka is best known internationally for scoring the winning goal against Spain at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, sending Japan into the knockout stages. He also represented his country at the 2020 Olympic Games. At Elland Road he is contracted until June 2028 and earns a reported weekly wage of £25,000, having quickly become a regular fixture in the Leeds engine room.
Other Midfielders in Leeds United
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Ao Tanaka's contract expire?
Ao Tanaka's current contract expires on June 30, 2028.
How much does Ao Tanaka earn per week?
Ao Tanaka earns approximately £25,000 per week.
Who does Ao Tanaka play for?
Ao Tanaka currently plays for Leeds United.
What position does Ao Tanaka play?
Ao Tanaka plays as a midfielder.
How old is Ao Tanaka?
Ao Tanaka is 27 years old.
What is Ao Tanaka's annual salary?
Annualised, Ao Tanaka's basic salary is approximately £1,300,000 per year (gross weekly wage of £25,000 multiplied across the 52-week contract year, excluding bonuses, image rights or signing-on fees).
When can Ao Tanaka sign a pre-contract with another club?
Under FIFA rules Ao Tanaka can sign a pre-contract with an overseas club from December 30, 2027, six months before the current deal expires on June 30, 2028.
How many months are left on Ao Tanaka's contract?
Ao Tanaka has approximately 22 months left on the current deal, with expiry due on June 30, 2028. Selling clubs usually negotiate renewal or sale in the prior summer window.
How does Ao Tanaka's wage compare to other midfielders?
Ao Tanaka earns roughly 39% of the position average — the average midfielder in our database earns £63,417 per week, so Ao Tanaka is paid 39% of the position average.
When was Ao Tanaka born?
Ao Tanaka was born on September 10, 1998, making the player 27 years old as of today.