Japan international Takehiro Tomiyasu has joined Arsenal from Bologna on a four-year deal with an option to continue a year further. The Gunners agreed to pay £17 million upfront for the 22-year-old, with an additional £2.5 million in add-ons. Tomiyasu is now in the final stages of his medical examinations in Italy.
“Japan international Takehiro Tomiyasu has joined us from Serie A side Bologna on a long-term contract,” Arsenal confirmed the football transfer on the club’s website. The Gunners were looking for a new defender to fill the void of Hector Bellerin, who moved to Real Betis, in their squad and quickly settled on Tomiyasu, a center-back who can also play on the right.
The Japanese footballer will be seen wearing a number 18 shirt at the London club. It remains to be seen what manager Mikel Arteta has in store for Tomiyasu. Right-back has been a particular point of weakness this season, with neither Calum Chambers nor Cedric Soares really impressing, so Tomiyasu will almost certainly see time there.
Welcome to The Arsenal, Takehiro Tomiyasu 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/trL4Wq7zXW
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 31, 2021
Arsenal welcomed Takehiro Tomiyasu to their team and posted a short clip on their Twitter account. Technical director Edu said: “We’re delighted to have signed Takehiro. We’ve been watching him for a while now and we’re pleased that we have reached an agreement with Bologna. He is an important addition to our squad.”
Mikel Arteta added: “Takehiro is a strong defender with good experience in Serie A and at international level. He’s a versatile defender with great defensive qualities, high technical ability and composure on the ball. He will be an important member of our squad. We look forward to Takehiro joining up with us when he returns from international duty.”
Tomiyasu has made 64 appearances for the Italian side and came on as a late substitute in Bologna’s 0-0 draw at Atalanta in Serie A on Saturday.
