Former Gunner completes transfer to Ajax | OneFootball

Former Gunner Takehiro Tomiyasu has completed his free transfer move to Ajax, signing a contract lasting until the end of the current campaign.

Photo via Ajax.nl

Ajax have confirmed the signing of Takehiro Tomiyasu as a free agent, following the mutual decision to terminate the defender’s Arsenal contract over the summer.

Tomiyasu has spent the first few months of the new campaign getting fit following last season’s knee injury, but he’s now put pen to paper on a deal with Ajax lasting until June 30th, 2026.

As previously reported, there’s no mention of an extension option, so if Ajax wish to keep him beyond the end of the current season, they’d need to negotiate fresh terms at that stage.

Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images

“Although he still needs to regain match sharpness, we believe that, given his experience, he will pick this up almost straight away,” Ajax director of football Marijn Beuker said.

“His injury history was also an important consideration. From the outset, he has worked hard on his recovery, the medical staff have assessed him thoroughly, and once his work permit is finalised, he can immediately join group training.

“Contractually, we have also found a good way to enter into a collaboration together. All in all, we expect that with Takehiro we have brought in a player who can bring more balance to our relatively young, but very talented squad in the short term.”

Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images

For Tomiyasu, this deal agreement is excellent news and a great first step towards restarting his playing career. To return to the pitch with a good club like Ajax would be a major boost, particularly with the World Cup coming up next summer.

Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu recently suggested Tomiyasu still has a fair chance to be involved in the World Cup tournament.

“To answer simply, I think he can make it,” Moriyasu said. “If he is in good shape, he will be a candidate to help Japan challenge to win the World Cup in North America.”

Tomiyasu has been a starter for Japan whenever he’s fit in recent seasons. The defender even played a couple of the early games of Japan’s World Cup qualification campaign, but his last appearance for the side was in June 2024. With any luck, he’ll be back involved by next March.