Ajax have signed Tomiyasu to a so-called 'prove-it' contract, which won't cost Ajax any money until Tomiyasu plays. The more Tomiyasu plays, the more money he'll reportedly earn. If the cooperation between Ajax and Tomiyasu is a success, both sides are reportedly willing to negotiate a long-term contract.

Tomiyasu joins Ajax in a bid to return to professional football and the Japanese national team ahead of next year's FIFA World Cup finals.

'Excellent defender'

Marijn Beuker, Ajax's director of football, is delighted with the signing of the former Arsenal man.

"Takehiro has proven himself to be an excellent defender with extensive experience in several top leagues. He is an intelligent, two-footed defender," Beuker said on the club website. "Together with the scouting department and the coaching staff, we have reviewed a lot of footage of him in recent weeks, and everyone is enthusiastic."

Due to a severe knee injury, the 27-year-old Japanese international has played just one game since May 2024. After Tomiyasu and Arsenal agreed to terminate the defender's contract in July, the right-back worked on his fitness in Japan, making significant strides in his recovery.

"His injury history was also an important consideration," Beuker continued. "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."

The club anticipate Tomiyasu to join team practice soon: "Although he still needs to regain match sharpness, we believe that, given his experience, he will pick this up almost straight away.

"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."

The 42-time Japanese international reportedly had offers from England, Germany and Italy after his contract at Arsenal was terminated, but preferred Ajax, who have been actively seeking defensive reinforcements.

Following his €18-million move from Bologna to Arsenal in 2021, Tomiyasu struggled with injury issues that limited him to just 84 appearances for the Gunners.

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