Most valuable clubless player on the market
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This article appeared on Transfermarkt in its first version on December 10th. and was updated after the transfer was confirmed.
The most valuable club player in the world, Takehiro Tomiyasu, with a market value of 12 million euros, is officially off the market. The central defender will be the first winter signing from Ajax Amsterdam. The 27-year-old, who has been without a club since an amicable termination of his contract with Arsenal FC in July, will initially receive a working paper until the end of the season. There had previously been consistent reports about the impending change.
Tomiyasu played his last game in October 2024 after a long-term knee injury. However, this was only a short appearance, his last full-length game was in June 2024 with the Japanese national team. Accordingly, a contract structure is said to have been chosen for both Ajax and the player that corresponds to the circumstances, as a long-term contract poses risks for the troubled Dutch record champions. In return, Tomiyasu will have the opportunity to get back into the limelight ahead of the upcoming World Cup, where Japan will face, among others, the Netherlands. If both sides are satisfied with the development in the summer, further cooperation is conceivable.
Tomiyasu’s health is said to be on the right track now, but he needs group training and match practice to get fully fit again. It was said that Ajax had been monitoring his situation for some time and saw the signing as a unique opportunity as he would normally have been unattainable. Arsenal once spent 18.6 million euros on the defender in 2021. Its highest market value was 35 million euros in 2024.
Ajax Amsterdam comments on Tomiyasu transfer
Ajax sporting director Marijn Beuker said: “Takehiro has proven himself to be an excellent defender with extensive experience in several top leagues. He is an intelligent, two-footed defender. Together with the scouting team and the coaching staff, we have analyzed numerous scenes from him in the last few weeks and everyone is enthusiastic. His injury history was also an important factor. From the beginning he has worked hard on his recovery, the medical team has examined him thoroughly and as soon as he is cleared to work, he can start team training straight away.”