*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:28, 5 October 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22:47, 11 June 2024 (UTC)
Beginning his career atAvispa Fukuoka, Tomiyasu had a spell with Belgian clubSint-Truiden and Italian clubBologna before joining Arsenal in 2021 for a reported fee of up to £17m.
Having previously played for various youth levels, Tomiyasu received a call-up for Japan's senior team in 2018. He featured for the side that reached thefinal of the2019 AFC Asian Cup, and also played at the2022 FIFA World Cup and2023 Asian Cup.
Born inFukuoka, Japan, Tomiyasu was first scouted by the Sanchiku Kickers’ general manager Kanji Tsuji, who was impressed with his performance, especially his speed.[4] Following this, Tsuji convinced his parents to let him play football, which led Tomiyasu to be enrolled at Sanchiku Elementary School.[4][5] When he was eleven, Tomiyasu was recommended for a trial atFC Barcelona Soccer Camp by his coach.[5] He impressed at the trial so FC Barcelona offered him a place on the club'syouth academy, but it was difficult for him to relocate to Spain and the move was cancelled.[6] Despite this, Tomiyasu said the experience at the Soccer Camp was "inspiring".[7]
After failing to join FC Barcelona, Tomiyasu joinedAvispa Fukuoka.[8] Initially playing in the midfield position, he switched tocentre back.[9] During his time at Avispa Fukuoka's youth system, Tomiyasu had a period as the club captain.[4][10] He impressed at the 2013's JFA Premier Cup, and was named in the Best Eleven as a result.[11] In May 2015, it was announced that Avispa Fukuoka had registered Tomiyasu.[12] He made his debut for the club on 14 October 2015 as a starter in a 2–0 loss againstMachida Zelvia in the third round of the Emperor's Cup.[13] At the end of the 2015 season, Tomiyasu signed a temporary contract with Avispa Fukuoka.[14]
At the start of the 2016 season, Tomiyasu spent the first half of the J League season on the substitute bench.[15] he made his first appearance of the season on 20 April 2016, as a starter in the defensive midfield position, in a 0–0 draw againstVegalta Sendai in the J League Cup.[16] However, in the J. League Cup match againstSagan Tosu, Tomiyasu was sent off for a second bookable offence in a 1–1 draw.[17] Two months later, on 13 July 2016, he made his league debut for the club, starting in the defensive midfield position in a 2–1 win againstFC Tokyo.[18] After making his debut for the club, Tomiyasu became a regular for the side, usually playing in the defensive midfield position.[19] It was reported on 26 September 2016 that he had become the second player in the league to be the fastest player at 12.436 km in.[20] Following the club's relegation to J. League 2, Tomiyasu went on to make sixteen appearances in all competitions.[21] At the end of the 2016 season, he had his contract with the club renewed.[22]
In the 2017 season, Tomiyasu became a regular for the side, playing at centre back.[23] He then scored his first goal for the club, in a 2–1 win againstRoasso Kumamoto on 19 March 2017.[24] However, Tomiyasu faced two separate international commitment between March and May.[25][26] Despite this, he continued to regain his first-team place for the club for the rest of the season.[26][27] Tomiyasu then helped Avispa Fukuoka three clean sheets in three matches between 29 July 2017 and 11 August 2017.[28] He later helped the club qualify for theJ1 League Promotion Playoffs, having finished fourth place in the league.[29] Tomiyasu helped the side beatTokyo Verdy 1–0 to reach the semi–finals of the J1 League Promotion Playoffs.[30] In the final of the J1 League Promotion Playoffs againstNagoya Grampus, Tomiyasu played 90 minutes, as they drew 0–0 but saw Avispa Fukuoka unsuccessfully promoted to J. League One.[31] At the end of the 2017 season, he went on to make thirty–nine appearances and scoring once in all competitions.
It was announced on 8 January 2018 that Tomiyasu would be moving abroad for the first time in his career by joiningBelgian First Division A sideSint-Truiden.[32] He signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with the club, keeping him until 2021.[33] Upon joining the club, Tomiyasu said: "I want to become a special player in Belgium."[34] After spending months at training and recovering from an ankle injury, Tomiyasu made his Sint-Truiden debut for the club, coming on as a late substitute, in a 2–1 win againstRoyal Antwerp on 12 May 2018.[35] This turned out to be his only appearance of the 2017–18 season.
In the 2018–19 season, Tomiyasu made his first start for Sint-Truiden and played the entirety of a 0–0 draw againstCercle Brugge in the opening game of the season.[36] Since the start of the season, he became a regular for the side, playing at centre back.[37] Between 23 September 2018 and 30 September 2018, Tomiyasu kept three consecutive clean sheets in three matches.[38] Tomiyasu scored his first goal of the season on 25 November 2018 in a 4–2 win againstAnderlecht.[39] After spending January on international duty with Japan, Tomiyasu returned to Sint-Truidense on 9 February 2019, starting and playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–1 win againstWaasland-Beveren.[40] He continued to retain his place in the team for the rest of the 2018–19 season.[41] His performance received praise from the Belgian media.[42] As a result, he won the club's Player of the Year.[43] In his second season at Sint-Truidense, Tomiyasu made 40 appearances and scored once in all competitions.
It was reported on 29 June 2019 thatBologna agreed a€9 million deal to sign Tomiyasu.[44] The transfer move was confirmed on 9 July 2019 and Tomiyasu became the second Japanese player to join the club afterHidetoshi Nakata.[45] Upon joining the club, he said: "Impression that the defensive tactics are detailed. The striker level is also very high. I chose this team because I wanted to learn individual defense tactics. First I wanted to be on the pitch."[46]
Tomiyasu made his Bologna debut, playing the whole game, in a 3–0 win againstPisa in the first round of theCoppa Italia.[47] A week later, he made his league debut, playing the full 90 minutes of a 1–1 draw againstHellas Verona,[48] and was named Man of the Match for his performance.[49] Having made three appearances, he was named August's Player of the Month.[50] He started in the first league seven matches before suffering a hamstring injury in October that kept him out for a month.[51] On 24 November, he made his return to the starting lineup in a 2–2 draw againstParma.[52] Since joining the club, Tomiyasu quickly established himself in the starting line-up playing atright back, and his performances impressed the Italian media and supporters alike.[53] By the time the season was suspended because of theCOVID-19 pandemic, he had made 20 appearances in all competitions.[54] Tomiyasu remained an integral part of the club once the season resumed behind closed doors.[55] He scored his first goal for Bologna in the 44th minute with his left foot, in a 5–1 loss againstMilan on 18 July 2020.[56] In a follow–up match againstAtalanta, Tomiyasu suffered a hamstring injury and was substituted in the 74th minute, as the club loss 1–0.[57] After the match, it was announced that he would be sidelined for the rest of the 2019–20 season.[58] Despite this, Tomiyasu finished his first season at Bologna, making 30 appearances and scoring once in all competitions.[59]
Ahead of the 2020–21 season, Tomiyasu's performances last season led to suggestions that he could be playing in the centre–back position.[60] Tomiyasu soon recovered from his injury and regained his first-team place, playing at centre back.[61] In a match againstSassuolo on 18 October 2020, he scored an own goal after a cross fromGiorgos Kyriakopoulos, leading to the winning goal for the opposition team.[62] In December, Tomiyasu began playing at right back for the rest of the season, though he occasionally played as aleft back and centre back.[63] This was due to his struggles playing at centre back, resulting in criticism by the Italian media.[64] His performances began to improve as a result of the tactical change.[65] Tomiyasu scored his first goal of the season in a 2–2 draw against Atalanta on 23 December.[66] Two weeks later on 6 January 2021, he scored his second goal of the season, scoring from a header, in a 2–2 draw againstUdinese.[67] However, Tomiyasu suffered a calf injury that saw him out for two weeks.[68] He made his return to the starting line–up two weeks later than expected on 14 March againstSampdoria, starting in a 3–1 win.[69] His return was short–lived when he suffered a muscular problem againstInter Milan on 4 April.[70] After being sidelined for a month, he made his return to the starting line–up on 2 May againstFiorentina and played 76 minutes before being substituted, in a 3–3 draw.[71] By the end of the season, he had made 33 appearances and scoring two times in all competitions.
Ahead of the 2021–22 season, Tomiyasu was linked with a move toPremier League clubTottenham Hotspur and Atalanta.[72] Amid the transfer speculation, he made his only appearance of the season against Atalanta, coming on as an 81st-minute substitute, in a 0–0 draw on 28 August 2021.[73]
On 31 August 2021, Tomiyasu joinedPremier League sideArsenal on a four-year deal, with an option for a fifth.[74] The transfer was variously reported as £15.5million, £16 million and £17 million.[75] Upon joining the club, both managerMikel Arteta and technical directorEdu commented about the player, describing him as an "important member of the squad" at Arsenal.[76] He became the fourth Japanese player to sign for the club afterJunichi Inamoto andRyo Miyaichi; others such asTakuma Asano never managed to feature in a competitive senior fixture for Arsenal.[77]
On 11 September, he made his first appearance for Arsenal againstNorwich City in a 1–0 win.[78] After the match, Tomiyasu’s debut performance at the club was praised by manager Arteta and local newspaper, Football London.[79] He was named the Arsenal’s Player of the Month for September 2021, with 51% of the vote.[80] Since joining Arsenal, Tomiyasu became the club’s first choice right–back position and dispatched a place from fellow right–back,Cédric Soares.[81] He quickly also became a fan favourite among Arsenal supporters.[82] Following a 2–0 win againstLeicester City on 30 October, manager Arteta praised his impact to the team and his settling to the country.[83] During a 4–1 win againstLeeds United on 18 December, Tomiyasu suffered a muscle injury and was substituted in the 64th minute.[84] After missing one match, he returned from injury, starting a match, in a 2–1 loss againstManchester City on 1 January 2022.[85] After the match, Football London, once again, praised Tomiyasu’s performance on his return.[86] However, his return was short–lived when he suffered two separate injuries that saw him out until April.[87] He made his return from injury, coming on as a late substitute, in a 3–1 win againstManchester United on 23 April.[88] Following this, Tomiyasu was able to make three starts in the next three matches.[89] However during a 2–0 loss againstNewcastle United on 16 May, he suffered a hamstring injury and was substituted in the 39th minute.[90] At the end of the 2021–22 season, Tomiyasu made 22 appearances in all competitions.
At the start of the 2022–23 season, Tomiyasu lost his place in the right–back toBen White whenWilliam Saliba returned on loan.[91] He made his first start of the season, in a 2–1 win againstFC Zürich in theUEFA Europa League match on 8 September.[92] Following the injury ofOleksandr Zinchenko, Tomiyasu started in the left–back position againstLiverpool and helped Arsenal win 3–2.[93] He started in the next three matches, playing in the left–back position for the club.[94] However, Tomiyasu suffered a muscle injury, having came on as 73rd minute substitute and came off 15 minutes later, in a 1–0 win against FC Zürich on 3 November.[95] Following the World Cup, he found himself behind pecking the order, with White and Zinchenko preferred as Arsenal’s first–choice full–backs.[96] In a match againstManchester United on 22 January 2023, Tomiyasu came on as a second–half substitute and played a role when he set up a goal forBukayo Saka to take a 2–1 lead, as the club won 3–1.[97] Three week later on 15 February 2023 againstManchester City, Tomiyasu started the match and was at fault when he made a "poor backpass allowedKevin de Bruyne to loft a finish overAaron Ramsdale after 24 minutes", as Arsenal loss 3–1.[98] After the match,London Evening Standard and Football London both described his performance as "poor".[99] However, he sustained a knee injury and was substituted in the 9th minute during Arsenal’s loss againstSporting CP in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League last 16.[100] After the match, it was announced that Tomiyasu was out for the rest of the 2022–23 season.[101] At the end of the 2022–23 season, he made 31 appearances in all competitions.
Ahead of the 2023–24 season, Tomiyasu spent Arsenal’s remainder pre–season friendly tour recuperating.[102] He made his first appearance since returning from injury, coming on as a 50th minute substitute, in a 2–1 win againstNottingham Forest in the first game of the season.[103] However on 21 August 2023, Tomiyasu made his first start of the 2023–24 season, in Arsenal's 1–0 win atCrystal Palace, where he was controversially sent off in the 67th minute for two bookable offences.[104] Following his return from suspension, Tomiyasu continued to rotate playing in either left–back or right–back position.[105] On 27 September, Tomiyasu was finally used as a centre back for Arsenal in the2023–24 EFL Cup third round match againstBrentford and contributed to a 1–0 clean sheet victory.[106] A week later on 8 October against Manchester City, he came on as a 75th minute substitute, and was involved in a goal that led toGabriel Martinelli to score the only goal of the game.[107] Three weeks later on 28 October, Tomiyasu scored his first goal for the club in the 96th minute of stoppage time in a 5–0 victory overSheffield United.[108] After the match, he dedicated his goal to his mother, who passed away the previous year.[109] On 2 November, Tomiyasu was selected as the team's monthly MVP for October by fan voting, making it his second award since September 2021.[110] He then set up three goals in two consecutive matches between 29 November and 2 December, including assisting twice, in a 6–0 win againstRC Lens.[111] However, Tomiyasu played once between December and March, due to suffering from two separate calf injuries and international commitment.[112] On 20 March 2024, Tomiyasu extended his contract with the club until 2026.[113] Eleven days later on 31 March, he made his return from injury, coming on as a 66th minute substitute, in a 0–0 draw against Manchester City.[114] Following his return from injury, Tomiyasu soon regained his first team place, playing in the left–back position for the remainder of the season.[115] On the last game of the season againstEverton, he scored an equalising goal, just two minutes before half–time, "with a fine low finish from the edge of the area following a pull-back fromMartin Ødegaard ", in a 2–1 win; which saw Arsenal finish second in the league again behind Manchester City.[116] At the end of the 2023–24 season, Tomiyasu made 29 appearances and scoring 2 times in all competitions.
The start of the 2024–25 season saw Tomiyasu out with a knee injury, which he sustained during Arsenal’s pre–season tour.[117]
Having previously played for Japan U14 and Japan U15,[118] Tomiyasu was called up to the Japan U16 for the first time in March 2013 ahead of theMontaigu Tournament.[119] He participated in the tournament, as the U16 side finished seventh place.[120] In August 2014, Tomiyasu was called for Japan U16 ahead of theAFC U-16 Championship inThailand.[121] He made two appearances in the tournament, as Japan U16 were eliminated in the quarter–finals.[122]
In July 2014, Tomiyasu was called up to theJapan U17 for the first time.[123] He participated in a number of matches for the side throughout 2015.[124]
In June 2015, Tomiyasu was called up to the Japan U18 squad for thePanda Cup.[125] He played two times in the tournament, as the U18 side won the trophy, finishing first place.[126] In March 2016, Tomiyasu was called up to theJapan U-19 squad for the first time.[127] Six months later, he was called up for the second time by the Japan U19 squad ahead of theAFC U-19 Championship in Bahrain.[128] Tomiyasu played his first match of the tournament, where he helped the U19 side win 3–0 againstYemen U19.[129] Tomiyasu scored his first goal of the tournament, in a 3–0 win againstQatar U19 on 20 October 2016.[130] He helped the Japan U19 reached the final after beatingVietnam in the semi–final.[131] Tomiyasu started in the final againstSaudi Arabia U19 and played 120 minutes; which resulting Japan U19 won 5–3 on penalties.[132] During the AFC U-19 Championship tournament, he helped the Japan U19 side keep all six clean sheets.[133]
In May 2018, Tomiyasu was called up to theJapan U21 for the first time ahead of theToulon Tournament.[137] He went on to make four appearances for the side, as they were eliminated in the Group Stage.[138]
In June 2021, Tomiyasu was named in theJapan squad for his firstOlympictournament, this time on home soil.[139] He previously expressed his interest in playing at the tournament.[140] Prior to the start of the Olympics, Tomiyasu was featured three out of the four friendly matches for the national side.[141] Along the way, he suffered ankle injury, but it did not affect his chances to be in the Olympics squad.[142] Tomiyasu made his debut in the tournament againstFrance Olympic team on 28 July 2021 and started the whole game to help Japan win 4–0.[143] He made two more appearances for the Olympics team, including a 2–0 loss againstMexico Olympic team in thebronze medal match.[144]
On 30 August 2018, Tomiyasu received his first international call-up from theJapan national team for theKirin Challenge Cup 2018.[145] It was not until 12 October 2018 when he made his Samurai Blue debut, starting the whole game, in a 3–0 win againstPanama.[146] Tomiyasu became the first teenager to start in the senior team sinceRyo Miyaichi.[147] A month later on 16 November 2018, he made his second appearance for Japan, in a 1–1 draw againstVenezuela.[148]
In December 2018, Tomiyasu was re-called to the Japanese squad for the2019 AFC Asian Cup.[149] He made his tournament debut for the Samurai Blue, starting the whole game and helped Japan win 3–2 againstTurkmenistan.[150] He helped Samurai Blue keep a clean sheet by beatingOman 1–0 win to advance to the knockout stage.[151] He then scored his first goal for Japan, scoring from a header, in a 1–0 win againstSaudi Arabia to reach the semi–finals.[152] Tomiyasu later played two more matches of the tournament, which saw the Samurai Blue reaching the final for the first time since 2011.[153] In theAFC Asian Cup final against Qatar, he started and captained Japan, as the Samurai Blue loss 3–1, finishing as runner–up in the process.[154]
Following the conclusion to the AFC Asian Cup tournament, Tomiyasu was called up to theJapan squad ahead of theCopa América in Brazil.[155] He started all three matches, playing in the centre–back position, as the Samurai Blue were eliminated in the Group Stage.[156] He later played three matches of 2019, helping Japan keep three clean sheets.[157]
Almost a year absent, Tomiyasu was called up to the Samurai Blue squad on 6 October 2020.[158] He started three out of the four matches for Japan by the end of the year.[159] Tomiyasu made five starts for the Samurai Blue between 7 September 2021 and 16 November 2021, where he formed a partnership withMaya Yoshida.[160] After a year absent, Tomiyasu was called up to the Japan squad on 15 September 2022.[161] He was able to make his first appearance for the Samurai Blue in a year, starting the match, in a 2–0 win againstUnited States on 23 September 2022.[162] In November 2022, Tomiyasu was called up to the 26-man Japan squad that would compete inQatar for the2022 FIFA World Cup.[163] He made his World Cup debut, coming on as a second–half substitute, in the Samurai Blue’s 2–1 win overGermany.[164] Tomiyasu came on as a 71st minute substitute when he helped Japan beatSpain win 2–1 to help his country reached the knockout phase.[165] Tomiyasu made his first start in the centre–back position, forming a partnership with Yoshida, againstCroatia in the last-16 of the World Cup, as the match eventually ended 1–1 with the Samurai Blue crashing out after their defeat on penalties.[166]
Following the World Cup, Tomiyasu didn’t receive a call–up from Japan until on 31 August 2023.[167] On 9 September 2023, in a friendly match againstGermany, which was his first international match following the World Cup, he displayed solid defence in a 4–1 away victory, in which he was awarded player of the match.[168] On 1 January 2024, Tomiyasu was called up to the Japan’s squad for theAFC Asian Cup in Qatar.[169] He played four times and helped the Samurai Blues helped progressed all the way to the quarter–finals, where Japan was eliminated by Iran.[170]
Playing in either at centre back or right back, Tomiyasu is known for being physical, as well as his strong defending structure.[171] He's also known for his versatility, capably playing at left back due to his two-footedness.[172]
His performance atSint-Truiden was so impressive that Voetbal Nieuws named him "The Best Eleven of Foreign Players Who Have Left from theJupiler League".[173] Former teammatePol García praised Tomiyasu for his attitude, while former Italy international defenderCristian Zaccardo praised his strong and energetic performances.[174]Bologna's technical coach Emilio De Leo said about Tomiyasu's performances, saying: "He has the ability to read and manipulate time and space in a modern way."[175] The club managerMarco Di Vaio agreed, saying: "Tomiyasu immediately impressed us because he is very good with his feet and knows how to adapt to all defense roles."[176] National Italian newspaperCorriere dello Sport praised Tomiyasu's performance, saying: "He is a treasure. The key to reinforcing Bologna".[177]
Manuel Minguzzi, a reporter for Tuttobologna, said about his performance: "Fans can always expect maximum professionalism and commitment from Tomiyasu. As a full back he did very well, while as a central he made some mistakes, but in Serie A it is quite normal because adaptation is needed. Tomiyasu also possesses great qualities when building the game. I was very struck by the fact that in the first year of Serie A he immediately became the protagonist. He had been taken as a center back but was often used at full back offering both phases of play. As soon as he arrived he became an idol. The Japanese market is always very active on social networks and Bologna has expanded its popularity thanks to Tomiyasu."[178] Former Japan managerAlberto Zaccheroni praised managerSiniša Mihajlović for using Tomiyasu regularly in the first team, saying: "He was good but not malicious, Mihajlovic did a great job making him play a full back year, in less risky areas, and then use him as a central player after gaining experience."[179]
Reflecting on his first season at Arsenal, Football London said about Tomiyasu: "Defensively immaculate and technically excellent he instantly transformed the right back position from one of weakness into one of strength."[180]
Tomiyasu has two sisters.[4] He was planning to follow in his sisters' footsteps by becoming a professional swimmer before switching to football instead, stating that he wanted to be a footballer.[4] In his first press conference in Bologna, Tomiyasu said he began to learnItalian and asked the media to call him Tomi.[181] By February 2020, Italian mediaCorriere Di Bologna reported that Tomiyasu already spoke Italian.[182] In addition to Italian and his nativeJapanese, Tomiyasu also speaksEnglish, having sharpened his English skills during his spell in Sint-Truiden.[183][citation needed]
Tomiyasu revealed that growing up, he idolisedJavier Mascherano.[184] In the wake of theCOVID-19 pandemic in Italy, Tomiyasu spoke out about his life during the pandemic and while the season was suspended, he exercised daily.[185] On 12 May 2020, his former club,Avispa Fukuoka expressed their gratitude to Tomiyasu after he donated 1,000 masks to the club's academy.[186] The following month, Bologna revealed that Tomiyasu were among the players and staff members agreed to give up a month's salary.[187]
^"初代、JPFA MVPは三笘 薫選手！ベストイレブンにはW杯メンバーから10名選出！" [The first JPFA MVP was Kaoru Mitoma! 10 players from World Cup squad selected for the best eleven!] (in Japanese). Japan Pro-Footballers Association. 18 January 2023. Retrieved1 December 2023.
^"JPFA 日本プロサッカー選手会".ニュース：JPFA 日本プロサッカー選手会 (in Japanese). Retrieved4 January 2025.
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Saudi Arabia
