Crystal Palace have signed Japan international Daichi Kamada on a free transfer, with the midfielder agreeing a two-year deal subject to international clearance after leaving Lazio to reunite with head coach Oliver Glasner.
What to expect from Daichi 👀🎌
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) July 1, 2024
大地に大いに期待 pic.twitter.com/uFf2rOEC8K
The pair worked together at Eintracht Frankfurt, winning the UEFA Europa League in 2021/22, before both leaving the German side in the summer of 2023. Kamada moved to Serie A for one season while Glasner took a break before joining Palace.
“I’m excited to be joining Crystal Palace, and to be working with Oliver - who is a coach I know well - again," Kamada told the club's official website. "I am looking forward to testing myself in the Premier League, and hopefully the club and I can achieve all of our objectives together.”
Kamada, 27, is Palace's second summer signing, after the arrival of defender Chadi Riad.
Who is he?
Kamada was born on 5 August 1996 in Ehime, Japan.
After starring for his high school, he signed for J-League club Sagan Tosu, where he played for two years, making 80 appearances.
In 2017 Eintracht Frankfurt came in for the midfielder and then loaned him out for the 2018/19 season to Sint-Truidense VV, a Belgian Pro League club, where he played 36 times and registered 16 goals and nine assists.
When Kamada returned to Germany he became a crucial part of the Frankfurt team, helping them win the Europa League, scoring a penalty in the shootout against Rangers in the final. During his time at Frankfurt, Kamada played 179 times, scoring 40 goals and assisting 33.
In the 2023 summer transfer window Kamada joined Lazio, where he made 29 league appearances, scoring twice and providing two assists.
Kamada has 33 caps for Japan, making his debut in 2019 in a friendly against Colombia. He was a part of the squad that beat Spain and Germany to reach the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
2024/25 preparations
Palace play their first pre-season match ahead of 2024/25 on 27 July against Crawley Town.
Their opening match of the new Premier League campaign is a London derby at Brentford on 18 August.
