Arsenal confirm deadline day deal for Tomiyasu
Just 15 minutes before the closing of the 2021 summer transfer window, Arsenal have announced their 6th and final signing. Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna has joined the club on a 4 year deal for a reported €18 million (£16 million). Tomiyasu is a versatile defender, who can play both at right-back and at centre-back. He will wear the number 18 shirt for Arsenal. Tomiyasu made 31 appearances for Bologna in Serie A, scoring 2 goals. The 22-year-old completed his medical in Italy on Tuesday afternoon. It is a deal that has come out of the blue, as the first links emerged with the Japanese international on Tuesday morning.
Tomiyasu will be with the Japanese national team for fixtures against Oman and China, and he is expected to join up with the Arsenal squad on September 8th and could make his debut against Norwich on September 11th. We expect him to play predominantly at right-back, a position that Arsenal need improving on with Hector Bellerin moving to Real Betis on loan on deadline day, and other options Chambers and Cedric underwhelming so far this season.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said, “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 joins Tavares, Lokonga, White, Ramsdale and Odegaard as new signings this summer. He also joins Nelson, Runarsson and Bellerin as deadline day deals that Arsenal have completed.
