FC Groningen have signed Manchester City youngster Ko Itakura.

The 21 year-old Japanese midfielder arrives from Kawasaki Frontale, having spent this year on-loan at Vegalta Sendai.

City hold his registration and have agreed to send him to Groningen on-loan to June 2020.

At Groningen, Itakara will join countryman Ritsu Doan. The pair are former Japan youth internationals.

While not formally tied to City, the Premier League giants offered to buy Doan for Groningen last year and have been watching his progress.