December 01, (01) – (THEWILL) – It has been revealed that Takehiro Tomiyasu was recommended by the head coach of one of Barcelona’s Japanese Academies and might have joined Barcelona as a youngster.
Tomiyasu was born in 1998, in Fukuoka, a coastal city in the southwest of Japan. Barcelona opened one of its four locations there nine years later. The future Japan international played with other prospective professionals there, while attending sessions twice a week. An impressed head coach, Ivan Palanco, recommended him for a prospective transfer to Spain and a spot at the renowned La Masia.
Reflecting on his work with Tomiyasu, Palanco said: “He had great coordination for his height. He had great qualities. He is one of the three players that I recommended to Barça during my three years [at Fukuoka], but it was difficult to take him to Spain.”
The talented youngster got his opportunity in 2018 when Belgian club, Sint-Truiden, took a chance on him. Palanco had always believed that Tomiyasu was “well up to playing in more competitive leagues than the Japanese one” and he had the team to prove it.
Tomiyasu was a teenager at the time, and the majority of his professional experience had been in Japan’s second division. Nevertheless, he established himself in Belgium and Bologna quickly snatched him up. He advanced to Serie A, and only two years later, Arsenal spent almost £17 million on him, which is proving to be a proper investment.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
