Arsenal have parted company with defender Takehiro Tomiyasu after reaching a mutual agreement to terminate his contract, the Premier League club said on Friday. The decision takes immediate effect, leaving the 26-year-old Japan international free to sign elsewhere after making 84 appearances across four seasons in north London. Tomiyasu’s tenure was severely disrupted by injuries. He played only six minutes of competitive football last season and is currently rehabilitating from a second knee operation carried out in February. The versatile full-back, capable of covering every position across the back line, is not expected to return to full fitness until late 2025. Signed from Bologna in 2021 for about £16 million, Tomiyasu had extended his deal as recently as 2024 but struggled to secure a consistent role under manager Mikel Arteta. His exit continues a defensive reshuffle at Arsenal that has already seen Kieran Tierney leave on a free transfer and could involve further moves for Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior during the current window.