Crystal Palace have handed former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu a trial, with the Japanese international in talks over a move to South London, according to reports.
Crystal Palace in Talks with Japanese International
Ex-Arsenal Defender in Talks with Palace
Tomiyasu was named as an unused substitute for Palace yesterday in their 3-0 defeat to French side Lens, and recently helped Japan reach the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
He has endured a difficult few years with injuries, suffering disrupted campaigns with both Arsenal and, most recently, Ajax, who released him at the end of last season.
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Pierre Sage has been quick to bolster his defensive options this summer, already completing the signing of Oscar Mingueza as Palace target a maiden Europa League campaign.
Tomiyasu’s Difficult Recent Years
Arsenal signed the defender from Bologna in August 2021 and went on to make 84 appearances for the Gunners across four seasons in all competitions. He went on to make 21 appearances in his first-ever Premier League season as Arsenal secured a fifth-placed finish under Mikel Arteta.
The Japanese international continued to play a rotational role for the Gunners, with manager Arteta labelling him an “important member of our squad“. In the 2023/24 campaign, Tomiyasu made six Champions League appearances, including a start against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena and two assists in Arsenal’s 6-0 rout of Lens in the group stage.
The defender’s progress was then completely halted in October 2024 when he suffered a knee injury that kept him out for over a year. He did not return to competitive action until February 2026.
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The Gunners released Tomiyasu at the end of the 2024/25 season, with Ajax picking up the defender in December 2025. Tomiyasu made nine appearances for the Dutch side last season before being released at the end of the campaign.
The 27-year-old did feature at the recent World Cup, though and made three appearances for Japan, including the full ninety minutes against Brazil.
Sage Looks to Add More Defensive Depth
Crystal Palace will be desperate to add to their defensive options with Maxence Lacroix set to depart for Chelsea.
Tomiyasu would provide proven Premier League experience and can play both centre-back and right-wing back making him an appealing option for the Eagles. Having been described as an “intelligent” player, he could slot in to their system in any way that’s needed.
Palace are convinced by the Ex-Arsenal man’s ability, but will be wary of his recent injury history with Palace needing consistency as they battle in four different competitions.
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Tomiyasu would be no stranger in the Crystal Palace dressing room and could reunite with international teammate Daichi Kamada, with the duo having played together 50 times throughout their careers, including a season with Belgian side Sint-Truiden.
Tomiyasu would also reunite with Eddie Nketiah, the pair having made 53 appearances together at Arsenal. This included a 1-0 victory at Selhurst Park in August 2023, when Tomiyasu was sent off.
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