Takehiro Tomiyasu is about to roll the dice on one of the boldest contracts of his career – and Ajax are betting that the risk will be worth it.

The former Arsenal defender, now a free agent after leaving the Premier League club by mutual consent last summer, is finalizing a move to Ajax on a free transfer. But this is not a standard deal. It is a short-term, performance-based contract that could quietly become one of the smartest pieces of business in European football – or a reminder of the risks that come with injury-hit players.

With a verbal agreement already in place and only the medical examination left as the next key step, Ajax and Tomiyasu are close to tying their futures together until June 2026, with an option for an extra season if the partnership clicks.

Inside Tomiyasu’s Unusual Ajax Contract

Ajax’s agreement with Tomiyasu is very clear: you play, you earn. You do not play, you do not cost us as much.

Reports from outlets including De Telegraaf and ESPN, echoed via TransferFeed, describe the contract as a “performance contract.” That phrase is not just a buzzword. It means Tomiyasu’s salary will be closely linked to his playing minutes and appearances over the length of the deal.

In simple terms, Ajax are protecting themselves, while also giving Tomiyasu a direct financial reward every time he proves he can stay fit and contribute.

• Base deal runs until June 2026
• Short-term, heavily performance-based structure
• Salary tied to minutes played and match appearances
• Option for an extra season, depending on performances

This kind of contract is still rare at top European clubs for players with Tomiyasu’s profile, but not surprising when you consider his recent past. At Arsenal, the Japan international struggled to build long runs of games because of injuries that halted his momentum just as he seemed to be winning trust again.

“If Tomiyasu stays fit, this is a Champions League-level defender for a Europa League price.”

Why Ajax Are Taking This Calculated Risk

Ajax are not the all-powerful, free-spending European force they once were. The club is in a period of transition, both on and off the pitch. Results have dipped, and the famous Ajax model is under pressure to adapt without losing its identity.

This is where the Tomiyasu deal becomes more than just another transfer story. It shows how Ajax are trying to stay smart in a shifting market.

The agreement has been put together by interim figures like Alex Kroes, who are helping lead the club while Ajax moves toward appointing a new technical director and possibly re-shaping its backroom staff. A short-term, low-risk, high-upside signing fits this moment perfectly.

Instead of locking themselves into a long, expensive contract with a defender who has a known injury history, Ajax have:

• Kept the deal short and flexible
• Protected their budget with performance-based pay
• Added an option to extend if Tomiyasu proves his value

This structure allows the club to move in different directions when the new technical leadership arrives, without being held back by a big, guaranteed salary for a player who might not fit future plans.

A Fresh Chapter After Arsenal and Injuries

For Tomiyasu, this move is not just about money or minutes. It is about rebuilding a career that has stalled but is far from finished.

Once seen as one of the most promising defensive signings at Arsenal, Tomiyasu impressed early with his calm on the ball, physical strength, and ability to play across the back line. But long-term injuries slowly pushed him out of the spotlight and eventually out of the club, with both sides agreeing to part ways last summer.

Now, fully recovered and ready for a new start, he arrives at Ajax with something to prove: that his body can hold up, and that his ceiling is still high.

At Ajax, Tomiyasu should, in theory, fit well. The club values defenders who are comfortable in possession, can read the game, and can shift positions when needed. If he can stay healthy, his versatility – right-back, center-back, and even left-back in a pinch – could make him a key piece in multiple systems.

“This feels like a pure win-win: Ajax limit risk, Tomiyasu gets the stage to prove Arsenal gave up too early.”

The Medical: Last Hurdle Before the Deal Is Done

The only major step left before the move becomes official is the medical examination, which has been described as the next key step in the process.

For most transfers, the medical is a formality. For Tomiyasu, it is a little more than that. Given his history of long-term injuries, Ajax’s doctors will want clear signs that he is truly past the worst of his fitness issues.

Still, the fact that a verbal agreement is already in place – as confirmed by reliable transfer voices like Fabrizio Romano and other outlets – shows that Ajax are confident enough to push ahead.

There are no serious conflicting reports around this move. Instead, the story is lined up across several respected sources, including Romano, ESPN, and De Telegraaf, all painting a similar picture of a free transfer, short-term deal, and performance-based pay.

Why This Deal Matters for Ajax’s Rebuild

For Ajax, this is more than a clever contract. It is a symbolic move at a time when the club is trying to reset without losing its ambition.

They are bringing in a player with Premier League experience, international pedigree, and a point to prove – without paying a transfer fee and without committing to long-term wages that might limit future choices.

In a market where even mid-table clubs in Europe can overspend for defenders, Ajax are trying a different route:

• Use their reputation and platform to attract talented free agents
• Give them a clear path to regular football – if they are fit and performing
• Design contracts that allow quick adjustments if things do not work out

If Tomiyasu thrives, Ajax will have found a starting-quality defender at bargain conditions and can trigger the extension option. If not, they can step away in a relatively short time with limited financial damage.

“Injury risk or not, this is exactly the kind of clever deal Ajax should be making in a rebuild.”

What Success Could Look Like for Tomiyasu at Ajax

So what would a successful Tomiyasu spell in Amsterdam actually look like?

It does not need to be perfect. It needs to be steady, reliable, and long enough to prove that his body can handle the demands of regular football again.

If he can:

• Stay mostly fit across a full season
• Play consistent minutes in defense
• Help stabilize Ajax’s back line in key domestic and European games
• Show the versatility that once impressed at Arsenal

Then Ajax will likely see huge value in triggering the option for an extra season. For Tomiyasu, that would mean security and a platform to either become a leader in Amsterdam or earn another big move down the line.

At 26–28 years old over the life of this deal, he is entering what should be his prime years as a defender. Ajax are betting that those years are still ahead of him, not behind.

The Bigger Picture: A Modern Transfer Blueprint

In many ways, this move feels like a glimpse into the future of transfers for players with high upside but high risk.

Performance-based contracts like this could become more common, especially for free agents with injury histories. They offer a compromise between player and club:

• The club avoids being stuck with a big, guaranteed deal
• The player still has a path to strong earnings, if they deliver
• Both sides share the risk and the reward

For now, though, Tomiyasu-to-Ajax is not a theory. It is a very real test case, watched closely by fans, agents, and sporting directors across Europe.

Final Thoughts: High Stakes, High Reward

Takehiro Tomiyasu’s looming transfer to Ajax is not about nostalgia for his early Arsenal days. It is about what comes next – for the player, for Ajax, and perhaps for how big clubs handle talented but fragile footballers.

The deal is nearly done. The verbal agreement is there. The medical is coming. The contract is short, sharp, and unapologetically performance-based.

If Tomiyasu can stay on the pitch, Ajax might have pulled off one of the smartest low-cost pickups of this transfer window. If the injuries continue, the club will move on with limited damage.

In Amsterdam, a defender’s career is on the line – and every minute he plays will matter, not just on the scoreboard, but on the payslip too.