Ex-Arsenal star who Gunners released after injury nightmare set for new club
Arsenal terminated Takehiro Tomiyasu’s contract in the summer and he’s preparing to return to football ahead of the January transfer window after years of injury troubles
Takehiro Tomiyasu has emerged as a target for Ajax five months after being released by Arsenal. Tomiyasu, 27, managed just six minutes of first-team football last season and hasn’t played in 14 months.
The Gunners agreed to terminate his contract in July, despite the defender’s deal running until 2026. Tomiyasu had recently undergone knee surgery for the second time in three years.
Having joined Arsenal from Italian side Bologna in 2021 for £17million, the Japan international made a total of 79 appearances under Mikel Arteta. But his time at the club was plagued by injuries and he became a free agent this summer.
Now, after recovering from surgery in his homeland, Tomiyasu is eyeing a return to football and wants to play at the World Cup next summer. According to Dutch outlet Voetbal International, Ajax are one of several clubs interested in snapping up the former Arsenal man.
With experience in two of Europe’s top five leagues and Champions League games under his belt, the Eredivisie giants view Tomiyasu as a ‘golden opportunity’ to strengthen their defence. It’s not yet known whether the 27-year-old, who can play anywhere across the back line, would be interested in joining Ajax.
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Fred Grim’s side are currently fourth in the Eredivisie and sit rock bottom of the 36-team Champions League table. Signing a player like Tomiyasu could help shore up a relatively inexperienced defence.
Coincidentally, his Japan side are one of the Netherlands’ opponents in Group F at the 2026 World Cup. Tomiyasu hopes that he can find a new club and return to the international scene in time for the tournament.
Explaining the process behind his decision to leave Arsenal, the ex-Bologna star told DAZN Japan via the Standard: “It wasn’t a sudden decision to leave. First of all, I want to make it clear that my contract wasn’t terminated unilaterally, and I didn’t unilaterally say, ‘I’m leaving’.
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“We had a proper discussion and came to the conclusion that this decision is best for me, for the club, and for everyone. So I’m leaving. It all ended amicably.
“From my perspective, it’s the best timing. I’ll be free, and most importantly, the most positive thing about this decision is that it will allow me to focus on my rehabilitation and on myself. I was there for four years, but I only played five minutes in the 2024-25 season, and I spent a whole year in rehabilitation.
“I was under a lot of stress and anxiety. To be honest, I wasn’t feeling like I was there anymore, and I was wondering, ‘Is this where my future is?'”
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
