After attending Kanagawa University for four years,[2] Itō first became a Special Designated Player for Ventforet Kofu,[3] and obtained a new contract with the J1 League side.[4] His first professional season attracted attention from Chiba-based Kashiwa Reysol, which signed him in January 2016.[5]
On 31 January 2019, Itō moved from Kashiwa Reysol to Genk on a one-year loan deal.[6] On 18 September, he made his Champions League debut as a starter in the group stage match against Red Bull Salzburg. On 30 March 2020, Ito signed permanently with Genk on a three-year contract.[7]
On 23 October 2022, he scored the winner in a 2–1 victory against Auxerre.[9] In the 2023–24 Ligue 1 opening game on 12 August, Ito scored a stunning goal against Ligue 1 powerhouse Marseille to open the scoring, but his team eventually lost 2–1.[citation needed]
On 31 January 2024, Shukan Shincho reported that police had launched an investigation into Itō following a criminal complaint filed by two women alleging that he had engaged in sexual misconduct with them while they were intoxicated at a hotel in Osaka without their consent after a match for Japan against Peru in June 2023.[11]
On 1 February, Itō filed a criminal complaint against the two women with the Osaka Prefectural Police for filing false complaints. On 19 February, he filed a lawsuit against the two women at the Osaka District Court, claiming that their sponsorship contracts were terminated due to false complaints and demanding 200 million yen in damages.[13]
The case was transferred to the Tokyo District Court in May and both Itō and the women were referred to prosecutors in July.[14][15] On 9 August, prosecutors dropped both charges against Ito and Ito's countersuit on his accusers, citing lack of evidence.[16]
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