Former Arsenal defender announces departure after disappointing spell

Takehiro Tomiyasu spent the second half of the season at Ajax but the move did not go as planned for the Japan international

Former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu has bid farewell to Ajax supporters on social media ahead of the imminent conclusion of his short-term contract with the Dutch giants, in a tone that suggests that he will not remain in Amsterdam beyond this summer.

The Japanese international moved to Ajax on a free transfer in December after being released by Arsenal last summer following a serious knee injury sustained on the Gunners’ pre-season tour.

With game time at Arsenal being limited due to the likes of Ben White and Jurrien Timber preferred at right-back, Tomiyasu was left to find a new club.

Ajax picked him up in December but the move did not go to plan, as he managed just 205 minutes of league action across seven appearances, with injuries disrupting any hopes of him getting back in top condition.

His farewell message to the Ajax fans on social media at the end of the Eredivisie season strongly suggests that the decision has already been taken to go their separate ways, and the Japan international will be looking for a new club this summer.

“It was only five months but I would like to thank you all who support Ajax,” he wrote on social media. “Obviously it was not a season we wanted to make and no one [is] satisfied with the place we ended.

“Personally I joined this club in January after such a long rehab, I wanted to give much more things, I should have done much more for this club but It didn’t work out well.

“This club has so many talented players made by Ajax and I’m convinced that this club will bounce back to where it belongs.

“Thank you and all the best for the players and the staff, it was a pleasure to work with,” Tomiyasu said. “Thank you again and might see you in the future somewhere,” he concluded.