ARSENAL SIGN TOMIYASU FROM BOLOGNA

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Premier League heavyweights Arsenal have completed the signing of Japan international defender Takehiro Tomiyasu. 22-year-old Tomiyasu signed for the Gunners on transfer deadline day on the back of the club agreeing a fee with Bologna in the Italian Serie A. Arsenal and Bologna reportedly agreed a fee of £19.8m ($27.2m), add-ons inclusive, for the Japan national team defender.

The Gunners released a statement to announce his transfer on Tuesday. In the statement, it was revealed that Tomiyasu has penned a long-term deal at the club. It is believed that the player has signed a four-year deal with the option of an extra year.

Japan international Tomiyasu is an utility defender who can play as a centreback and as a right back. He has also played as a left back on several occasions. The new Arsenal player will cover the vacuum left by Hector Bellerin who was on the move on deadline day. Spanish international Bellerin joined Spanish team Real Betis on loan from Arsenal before the transfer window ended on Tuesday.

Bellerin was the longest serving player in the Arsenal first team before the Spaniard left the club to return to his country. The Spanish defender was also linked with a move to former team Barcelona in a possible swap deal with Emerson Royal before talks ended after the two teams failed to agree on a transfer. Brazilian international Emerson went on to join North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Arsenal right back Bellerin had to leave the club to return back to his native Spain in the bid for regular first team football. Bellerin lost his place as the first choice right back last season.

New Arsenal signing Tomiyasu played 63 times for Bologna over the course of the two seasons in addition to making 23 appearances for the Japanese national team.