The Japan youth international, who joined the club earlier this year from Nissho Gakuen High School, will now spend the 2025/26 season in the French Championnat National.
Takaoka, who is yet to play senior football in his burgeoning career, has trained with the third-tier outfit during pre-season.
He is set to play for the club’s ‘reserve’ team and will become the first Japanese player to represent Valenciennes.
Rento Takaoka rejoint l’équipe réserve du #VAFC sous la forme d’un prêt d’une saison en provenance de la formation de @SouthamptonFC 👋
L’attaquant valenciennois est le premier joueur japonais à porter les couleurs de VA 🇯🇵
📝 Plus d’infos : https://t.co/XtQUD03D5A pic.twitter.com/sGjSKLIT03
— Valenciennes FC 🦢 (@VAFC) August 6, 2025
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Andy Goldie, head of group talent strategy at Southampton, said: “Rento’s loan arrival at Valenciennes is an important step in our youth development strategy.
“Rento is a young talent we recruited from Japan. He’s a Japanese international who played in the U17 World Cup last year.
“Valenciennes is a great environment to help him progress this season.”
Simon Raux, director of the VAFC training centre, added: “Rento’s arrival is truly symbolic in relation to the Sport Republic group and the mutualisation between the clubs.
Valenciennes and Saints played a pre-season friendly against each other last month. (Image: Southampton FC/Matt Watson)
“There was the departure of Joachim Kayi Sanda last year to Southampton, and this year, there is Rento’s loan to VAFC.
“It’s an enriching experience for all the players and all the parties.”
A statement from Saints added: “The club wishes Rento well for the coming season and looks forward to following his progress.”
Takaoka is the second Saints youngster to join Valenciennes this summer, following defender Derrick Abu, who joined on a free transfer at the end of his contract at St Mary’s.