Via foxsports.com
Crystal Palace signs Takehiro Tomiyasu, and here’s what it means for Premier League clubs eyeing free agent markets
The Japanese defender's winding path from Arsenal to Ajax to Selhurst Park highlights how football's free agent economy increasingly mirrors crypto's talent arbitrage plays
Crystal Palace have added Japanese defender Takehiro Tomiyasu to their roster on a free transfer after the 27-year-old parted ways with Ajax at the end of his short-term contract.
The Premier League club and Tomiyasu reportedly reached an agreement in principle for a permanent deal, beating out interest from several Serie A clubs in the process.
The free agent pipeline
Tomiyasu, a Japan international who previously played for Arsenal, became available after his Ajax contract expired on July 1, 2026. He had signed with the Dutch club on December 16, 2025, on a deal running only until June 30, 2026.
During that brief window in Amsterdam, he managed nine appearances, seven of which came in the Eredivisie.
Crystal Palace moved quickly, inviting the defender to train with the squad during their late July 2026 pre-season.
ESPN has already listed Tomiyasu as a Crystal Palace player for the 2026-27 Premier League season, with no recorded starts or substitute appearances yet.
The move reunites Tomiyasu with fellow Japan international Daichi Kamada, who is already on Palace’s roster.