Arsenal's Takehiro Tomiyasu Exiting by Mutual Agreement

Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu has departed the club following a mutual decision to end his contract. Tomiyasu last played for Arsenal in October 2024 against Southampton, marking his sole appearance in the previous season.

Although his contract was set to expire in June 2026, both parties agreed to part ways this summer, a year ahead of schedule. Tomiyasu, the Japanese international full-back, underwent knee surgery in February and is not expected to fully recover until late 2025.

Tomiyasu, aged 26, has faced several injuries in recent years, including a knee surgery in 2023. Despite making 20 Premier League starts in his debut season with Arsenal in 2021-22, he only managed 44 league appearances in the subsequent three seasons. He has represented Japan 41 times at the international level.

Following Tomiyasu's exit, defender Kieran Tierney has returned to Celtic. Arsenal reporter Art de Roche expressed regret over Tomiyasu's departure, highlighting his impact and versatility on the field. Tomiyasu's standout performances include a notable display against Liverpool in October 2022.

Despite struggling with knee injuries, Tomiyasu's contributions, such as scoring in Arsenal's win over Everton in the 2023-24 season, have been recognized. His time at Arsenal may have ended abruptly, but he will be remembered positively for his four-year tenure in north London.