By Francis Onyach - Reporter
UK, August 05, 2026 - Crystal Palace are set to complete the signing of Japan international Takehiro Tomiyasu after reaching a full agreement with the defender, who has already passed his medical in London.
The 27-year-old is expected to sign his contract within the next 48 hours, joining Palace as a free agent after leaving Ajax earlier this summer. The move marks Tomiyasu's return to the Premier League and gives Palace an experienced, versatile defender ahead of the new season.
Tomiyasu's move to Selhurst Park comes just weeks after his departure from Ajax.
The Japanese defender joined the Dutch giants in December 2025 after leaving Arsenal by mutual consent. Although injuries had disrupted much of his spell in North London, he managed to rebuild his fitness in Amsterdam and made several first-team appearances before mutually agreeing to terminate his contract this summer.
With his contract ended, Tomiyasu became one of the most experienced free agents on the market, attracting interest from several clubs before Crystal Palace emerged as his preferred destination.
Crystal Palace have been monitoring Tomiyasu's situation for several weeks.
The defender recently trained with the club and even featured as a trialist during pre-season, allowing manager Pierre Sage and his coaching staff to assess both his fitness and readiness for competitive football. Those performances convinced Palace to move forward with a permanent deal.
After successful negotiations, Tomiyasu underwent his medical in London and is now expected to officially complete the transfer once the final paperwork is signed.
Why Palace Wanted Tomiyasu
Crystal Palace have been looking to strengthen their defensive options following changes to their back line during the transfer window.
Tomiyasu offers valuable versatility, capable of playing as:
- Right-back.
- Centre-back.
- Left-back.
- Defensive full-back in a back four or back five.
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His tactical intelligence and composure on the ball have made him one of Japan's most reliable defenders over the past decade.
Injury Setbacks Defined His Arsenal Spell
Tomiyasu's quality has never been in doubt, but injuries prevented him from establishing himself consistently during his time at Arsenal.
After joining from Bologna in 2021, he impressed with his defensive discipline, aerial ability and versatility. However, recurring fitness problems restricted his appearances over the following seasons.
In July 2025, Arsenal and the player agreed to terminate his contract by mutual consent, allowing him to seek a fresh challenge elsewhere.
The move to Ajax provided Tomiyasu with an opportunity to regain match fitness and confidence.
He featured in several matches during the second half of the season and also represented Japan during the 2026 international campaign, demonstrating that he had overcome many of the injury issues that previously limited his playing time.
His performances convinced Crystal Palace that he was ready for another spell in English football.
For Palace manager Pierre Sage, Tomiyasu's arrival adds experience and flexibility to the squad.
The Japanese international has played in the Belgian Pro League, Serie A, Premier League and Eredivisie, giving him extensive experience across Europe's top competitions.
His calmness in possession and ability to adapt to multiple defensive roles should make him a valuable addition as Palace prepare for another demanding campaign.