Remember when Takehiro Tomiyasu couldn’t catch a break? Injuries kept him sidelined. Arsenal moved on. Ajax barely used him. Now, the Japanese international has popped up somewhere nobody quite expected — Crystal Palace’s matchday squad for a pre-season friendly against RC Lens.
It’s a small step, sure. But it could mark a significant comeback.
From Arsenal Heartbreak to a Fresh Start in South London
Tomiyasu’s Arsenal story is one of frustrating what-ifs. He arrived from Bologna in August 2021 for around £20 million and immediately won over fans. He was reliable, intelligent, and incredibly versatile — comfortable at right-back, left-back, or centre-back.
He even won Arsenal’s Player of the Month award twice.
But injuries — specifically recurring knee problems — derailed everything. During the 2024/25 season, he managed just six minutes of action. One brief cameo against Southampton in October. That was it.
By July 2025, Arsenal and Tomiyasu agreed to terminate his contract a year early. The club released a statement thanking him for his contributions across 84 appearances. Mikel Arteta had already built depth with Jurrien Timber, Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori, and the emerging Myles Lewis-Skelly. There simply wasn’t room or patience for another long rehabilitation.
Why Crystal Palace Makes Sense
Tomiyasu didn’t disappear. He joined Ajax on a free transfer in December 2025, but things didn’t click there either. Just nine appearances and ten minutes of Eredivisie football later, his contract expired this summer.
Then came a surprise recall to Japan’s 2026 World Cup squad. He featured three times in the tournament — proof that his body could hold up.
That’s what caught Crystal Palace’s attention.
The Eagles are navigating a defensive rebuild this summer. Their standout centre-back Maxence Lacroix is heading to Chelsea in a deal worth around £51 million. That leaves a significant gap. Palace have been linked with Augsburg’s Chrislain Matsima and Brest’s Raphael Le Guen, but Tomiyasu offers something different:
- He’s available on a free transfer
- He can cover multiple defensive positions
- He brings Premier League and World Cup experience
- His wages are reportedly modest — around £22,500 per week at Ajax
Pierre Sage’s side have been assessing him throughout pre-season. Naming him on the bench for the Como Cup fixture against RC Lens is a clear sign the trial is going well.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Tomiyasu also has two proposals from Serie A clubs. So Palace aren’t the only ones interested.
What Happens Next?
This isn’t a done deal yet. Palace want to see match minutes — not just training sessions. The friendly against Lens, followed by a second group match against Famalicao, gives them a proper look at his sharpness in competitive conditions.
If he impresses? A contract offer could follow before the season kicks off.
For Tomiyasu, it’s a chance to prove the doubters wrong. He’s 27. He played at the World Cup just weeks ago. And he’s hungry.
The bigger picture for Palace is about adding smart, experienced depth without breaking the bank. Tomiyasu fits that profile perfectly. Whether his body cooperates over a full Premier League campaign is the question nobody can answer yet.
But getting named in a matchday squad? That’s a start. And after the two years he’s had, Tomiyasu will take it.
