Crystal Palace complete free transfer signing of former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu | OneFootball

Crystal Palace have announced the signing of former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu on a free transfer.

The Japan international joins the Eagles after a successful trial with the club this summer. He is their second summer acquisition.

Tomiyasu joined Palace during their training camp in Como last week. He last played for Dutch giants Ajax during the second half of the 2025-26 season.

He featured in the pre-season friendly against Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ula, which ended 3-1 to the Premier League side.

Tomiyasu hopeful of second chance in English football

Tomiyasu previously made 84 appearances for Arsenal in an injury-hit spell between 2021 and 2025.

He made only one appearance in his final season at the club before his contract was terminated while he recovered from a knee injury.

Tomiyasu joined Ajax in December 2025 but made only nine appearances for the club, playing for a total of 236 minutes.

He played three times for Japan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer, totalling over half of his minutes for Ajax in those three appearances.

He joins a Palace squad in need of experience at the back, with Marc Guehi and Maxence Lacroix having left the club this year.

Tomiyasu is capable of playing in either full-back position or at centre-back.

Palace have been also linked with centre-back Chrislain Matsima, and the addition of Tomiyasu should not derail their plans to bring in more defensive cover.