MX23RW : Tuesday, May 14 10:22:12| >> :120:8371:8371:

Arsenal sign defender Takehiro Tomiyasu as Hector Bellerin departs

Arsenal sign defender Takehiro Tomiyasu as Hector Bellerin departs
© Reuters
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta allowed three players to leave the club on deadline day.

Arsenal have completed the signing of Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna and let long-serving defender Hector Bellerin depart on loan to Real Betis during a busy end to transfer deadline day.

Japan international Tomiyasu, who can play both right-back and centre-back, has signed a "long-term" contract at the Emirates Stadium after making 63 appearances for the Serie A side during the last two seasons.

The 22-year-old represented his country at the Tokyo Games this summer and is currently away on international duty which will delay his arrival in north London.

Manager Mikel Arteta told the official club website: "Takehiro is a strong defender with good experience in Serie A and at international level.

"He's a versatile defender with great defensive qualities, high technical ability and composure on the ball. He will be an important member of our squad. We look forward to Takehiro joining up with us when he returns from international duty."

Technical director Edu said: "We're delighted to have signed Takehiro. We've been watching him for a while now and we're pleased that we have reached an agreement with Bologna. He is an important addition to our squad."

With Tomiyasu being brought in, fellow right-back Bellerin has been allowed to return to Spain.

The 26-year-old has spent the last decade with the club and made 239 appearances for the Gunners, winning three FA Cups during his time at the Emirates Stadium.

Bellerin sustained anterior cruciate ligament damage at the beginning of 2019 and has struggled to hold onto a regular starting berth since, with Arteta not using the Spaniard so far this season.

He has now let the defender sign for the club he supported as a boy, with Arsenal eager to freshen up their squad after Willian was allowed to leave on a free transfer on Monday.

Earlier on the final day of the transfer window, attacker Reiss Nelson signed for Feyenoord on a season-long loan.

Academy graduate Nelson has played 48 times for the north London outfit since he made his debut in 2017 as a teenager, but has failed to become a regular and departs for a second temporary move away from the capital.

The England Under-21 international spent time in Germany on loan with Hoffenheim during the 2018-19 campaign.

Meanwhile, back-up goalkeeper Alex Runarsson has signed for Belgian Pro League side OH Leuven on a loan deal until the end of the season.

ID:461799:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect3069:

Click here for more stories about Hector Bellerin

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Ainsley Maitland-Niles pictured for Arsenal in December 2019
Read Next:
Ainsley Maitland-Niles 'set to stay at Arsenal'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal37275589286186
2Manchester CityMan City36267391335885
3Liverpool372310484414379
4Aston Villa37208976562068
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs361961171591263
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle361761379572257
7Chelsea361691173611257
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd36166145256-454
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham371410135971-1252
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton361212125458-448
11Bournemouth37139155365-1248
12Crystal Palace371210155258-646
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves37137175063-1346
14Fulham37128175159-844
15Everton37139153949-1040
16Brentford37109185461-739
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3789204766-1929
18Luton TownLuton3768235081-3126
RBurnley3759234076-3624
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd37372735101-6616


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!