The injury hell that led to Takehiro Tomiyasu's mutual contract termination with Arsenal last summer has finally found its unlikely end.
Reliable reports from Dutch and UK media confirm the 27-year-old Japan international has reached a verbal agreement to join Ajax on a short-term, six-month contract as a free agent.
This deal is a crucial lifeline for Tomiyasu, offering him a platform to resurrect his career and fight for a spot in Japan's 2026 World Cup squad after spending the better part of the last two years sidelined.
The Deal: Low Risk, High Reward
The nature of the contract reflects the high stakes and the significant injury risks involved:
Six-Month 'Trial': The agreement is an initial short-term contract lasting until the end of the season.
It is a classic 'prove-it' deal, allowing Ajax to assess his physical condition after numerous surgeries and long lay-offs.
Appearance-Centric: Reports suggest the short-term deal is "centred around appearances," structuring his wages and incentives around the minutes he plays, which protects Ajax financially should his injury woes return.
The World Cup Race: Tomiyasu has openly expressed his determination to feature for Japan at the 2026 World Cup. Playing regularly for a major European club like Ajax is his best—and perhaps only—path to achieving that ambition.
Why Ajax Need Him (Desperately)
For Ajax, who are currently having a disastrous season by their own standards (struggling in the Eredivisie and bottom of their UCL group), Tomiyasu is a high-quality, immediate defensive reinforcement.
Defensive Crisis: The Amsterdam club has conceded an alarming number of goals this season (36 in 20 league games), and the versatile defender—capable of playing centre-back and both full-back positions—offers the experience and tactical intelligence they desperately lack.
The Arsenal Quality: When fit, Tomiyasu was a favorite of Mikel Arteta due to his defensive solidity and composure.
Ajax believes they are signing an elite-level defender if they can solve his fitness puzzle.
Japanese Connection: The move will see him link up with Japan teammate Ko Itakura, which could help him settle quickly and smoothly into the squad environment.
The Emotional Toll
Tomiyasu's departure from Arsenal was amicable but deeply emotional. After playing only five minutes in his final season due
to a severe run of injuries, which included a second knee operation, he admitted the decision was necessary.
"I concluded that, 'this is the best outcome for me, the club, and everyone involved.'... I spent the entire year in rehabilitation. Honestly, my heart wasn't really in it anymore."
Now, Tomiyasu gets a fresh start in the Netherlands—a place where the pressure is slightly lower than in the Premier League, and where he can focus solely on getting back to the fitness and form that made him one of Europe's most admired defenders.
Do you think Tomiyasu can stay fit and successfully revive his career at Ajax?