Takehiro Tomiyasu Joins Ajax on One-Year Deal

Former Arsenal Defender Signs with Dutch Club

Takehiro Tomiyasu, the ex-Arsenal defender, has officially signed a one-year contract with the renowned Dutch club Ajax.

Transition from Arsenal

Tomiyasu became a free agent this summer after he and Arsenal reached a mutual decision to end his contract a year earlier than scheduled. His time in London was significantly impacted by injuries, leading manager Mikel Arteta to choose against renewing his deal due to ongoing concerns regarding his fitness.

Contract Details

According to Flashscore, the 27-year-old has agreed to a “prove-it” contract, meaning Ajax will not incur any costs until he participates in matches for the club.

Insights from Ajax’s Director of Football

Marijn Beuker, Ajax’s Director of Football, elaborated on the deal, emphasizing that the decision was carefully considered due to Tomiyasu’s injury history.

“Takehiro has demonstrated that he is a solid defender with ample experience in top leagues. He is an astute, versatile player. Together with our scouting team and coaching staff, we have assessed a significant amount of game footage over the past few weeks, and the consensus is positive. His injury record was a critical factor in our deliberations,” he stated.

Beuker continued, “From the beginning, he has shown dedication to his recovery. Our medical team has thoroughly evaluated him, and once his work permit is in place, he can start training with the squad right away. While he will need to regain his match fitness, we are confident that his experience will allow him to adapt swiftly. We have structured the contract in a way that supports this collaboration. Overall, we believe Takehiro will provide additional stability to our relatively youthful but talented team in the near term.”

Current Playing Status

The Japanese international has participated in only one match since May 2024, and the nature of his contract reflects the club’s cautious approach to committing to a long-term agreement until he can demonstrate his performance on the field.