Japan’s Daichi Kamada has joined Crystal Palace on a free transfer from Lazio.
Kamada’s move to Selhurst Park came after a contractual disagreement between the 27 year-old Japan international and Lazio, which led talks to collapse despite initial agreement of personal terms and opened the door for Palace to sign him upon recommendation of manager – Oliver Glasner.
Glasner had previously managed Kamada during their time together at Eintracht Frankfurt across 2021-22 & 22-23 seasons, in which Kamada scored 25 goals in 93 appearances under the Austrian – with 16 of his 25 goals netted in the 22-23 season alone.
During their time at Frankfurt, Kamada was part of Glasner’s Europa League title-winning squad following a tense win over Rangers on penalties in that season’s final.
Kamada has signed a two-year contract at Selhurst Park until June 2026 and is happy to be reunited with Glasner for a new challenge.
“I’m excited to be joining Crystal Palace, and to be working with Oliver – who is a coach I know well – again. I am looking forward to testing myself in the Premier League, and hopefully the club and I can achieve all of our objectives together.”
Palace Chairman, Steve Paris added: “Daichi is a truly exceptional talent. He has been one of Europe’s best attacking midfielders in recent seasons and his experience, technical quality and commitment mark him out as an excellent addition to our already talented squad.
“I am delighted that Daichi has chosen to join Crystal Palace from the many options he had and work once more with Oliver. I am certain Palace fans will relish watching him in the weeks, months and years to come at Selhurst Park.”
Kamada and his new Palace teammates will discover their first competitive fixture of 2024-25 season on 18 June at 9am when Premier League fixtures are released, with next season marking the Eagles’ first full campaign under Glasner who arrived in February 2024.
The 27 year-old began his career at Japan’s Sagan Tosu before he joined Frankfurt in 2017 and went on to score 40 goals in 179 appearances, although he enjoyed a loan stint at Belgium’s Sint-Truiden in 2018-19 season – where he scored 16 goals in 36 appearances.
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