Takehiro Tomiyasu Joins Ajax on One-Year Contract

Former Arsenal Player Signs with Dutch Club

Former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu has made the move to Dutch football, joining Ajax on a one-year agreement.

Tomiyasu was without a club since the summer after reaching a mutual decision with Arsenal to end his contract a year earlier than scheduled.

Injury Challenges Lead to Departure

The player’s time in North London was marred by injuries, prompting manager Mikel Arteta to choose not to extend his contract amid worries about his ongoing fitness issues.

According to reports from Flashscore, the 27-year-old has signed a performance-related contract that will not incur costs for Ajax until he takes to the field.

Thoughts from Ajax’s Football Director

Marijn Beuker, the Director of Football at Ajax, shared his insights on the signing, which underwent extensive consideration due to Tomiyasu’s injury history.

“Takehiro has demonstrated his capabilities as a skilled defender with significant experience across numerous top leagues. He possesses intelligence and versatility in defense. Our scouting team and coaching staff have diligently reviewed his game footage recently, and the consensus is positive despite his injury track record.”

He added, “From the beginning, he has put significant effort into his rehabilitation, and our medical team has evaluated him comprehensively. Once his work permit is finalized, he will be able to join team training without delay.”

“Although he needs to regain his match fitness, we are confident that his experience will help him catch up quickly. We have also structured the contract in a way that reflects our cautious approach to collaborating with him. Overall, we believe Takehiro will enhance the balance of our relatively young yet talented squad in the near term.”

The Japanese international has only appeared in one match since May 2024, and Ajax is being strategically careful about committing to a long-term deal until Tomiyasu proves his value on the field.