Crystal Palace have officially signed Japanese defender Takehiro Tomiyasu after he completed a successful trial with the club. The 27-year-old, who previously played for Arsenal from 2021 to 2025, arrives as a free agent following a stint at Ajax. He is the second addition for new manager Pierre Sage, joining Oscar Mingueza at the club.
Tomiyasu, who represented Japan at this summer’s World Cup, offers versatility across the back line as either a full-back or centre-back. Palace sought defensive reinforcements after Maxence Lacroix departed for Chelsea. Chairman Steve Parish highlighted Tomiyasu’s extensive international and European experience as a key asset for the squad.
This transition follows the departure of former manager Olivier Glasner, who secured FA Cup and Conference League titles during his tenure. Tomiyasu expressed excitement about joining a club experiencing such a positive period of success. Palace continue to monitor the market, including potential moves for Josh Acheampong and Raphael le Guen, while managing strict Uefa squad cost ratio regulations due to their Europa League participation.
