Crystal Palace confirm Tomiyasu signing after successful trial

Crystal Palace have completed the signing of Japan international defender Takehiro Tomiyasu after he impressed during a trial spell with the club. The 27-year-old had been without a club since leaving Ajax, where he spent the second half of last season, and featured for Japan at this summer's World Cup.

Tomiyasu, who can operate at full-back or centre-back, becomes the second addition of the summer for new Palace boss Pierre Sage, following the arrival of Oscar Mingueza. The defender spent four years at Arsenal, making 84 appearances across all competitions between 2021 and 2025, and previously played for Bologna and Sint-Truiden.

The move comes as Palace look to bolster their defensive options following the departure of first-choice centre-back Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea. Club chairman Steve Parish said Tomiyasu brings experience from the highest level of European and international football, while the player himself said the club's recent success — three trophies in two seasons — was a key factor in his decision to join.

French coach Sage took over from Olivier Glasner, under whom Palace won the first major trophies in the club's history: the FA Cup and the Conference League, along with the Community Shield.

Palace are also reportedly interested in a loan move for Chelsea's Josh Acheampong and have been linked with Brest centre-back Raphael le Guen. The transfer window carries particular significance this year, with the club adjusting to a new manager, the loss of Lacroix, and a further season of European competition after qualifying for the Europa League following last season's Conference League triumph.

That European involvement brings tighter financial restrictions under Uefa's squad cost ratio rules, which cap spending on wages, transfers and agent fees at 70% of club revenue — stricter than the Premier League's 85% limit for clubs outside Europe. Palace have not yet paid a transfer fee for any player this window, though they are working towards a deal for 19-year-old Real Salt Lake winger Zavier Gozo. The club is also said to be considering player sales to raise funds, with interest reported in winger Brennan Johnson.