Jorgen Strand Larsen was the first Crystal Palace player to react after the Eagles announced the signing of Oscar Mingueza.
The Norway international played 55 games alongside the Spain international at Celta Vigo before moving to England to sign for Wolves in July 2024 – the latter’s crossing ability suited the Crystal Palace No.22’s aerial prowess to a tee in La Liga.
With Strand Larsen unable to reunite with Mingueza at Selhurst Park immediately due to his World Cup commitments with Norway, the 26-year-old has instead reached out to congratulate the Spaniard on Instagram.
🚨 NEW SIGNING ALERT 🚨
What do Palace need to do next after landing a new defender in Mingueza? 🇪🇸
Jorgen Strand Larsen reacts as Oscar Mingueza joins Crystal Palace
After hearing that Crystal Palace had signed his former Celta Vigo teammate, Strand Larsen wrote “welcome my brother” along with a series of red and blue heart emojis.
It is good to hear that Mingueza already has a friend at Selhurst Park, considering the versatile defender has never played his football outside of Spain and could struggle to settle without some help.
Strand Larsen is not the only familiar face for the 27-year-old to catch up with at Crystal Palace.
Mingueza also knows Yeremy Pino well, having played three games for Spain alongside the Crystal Palace No.10 and being involved in 11 different matchday squads with the 23-year-old.
With these two helping Mingueza settle in at Copers Cope, and the fact the Crystal Palace squad is largely built up of friendly characters anyway, the Spain international should have absolutely no problem settling in.
The Barcelona academy graduate should also be able to provide some assistance for those already at Crystal Palace as we head into the UEFA Europa League for the first time.
Mingueza was named in the UEFA Europa League Team of the Season last term, making 11 appearances as Celta Vigo reached the quarter-finals but were knocked out by eventual finalists Freiburg.
The man born in Santa Perpetua de Mogoda had also previously played two games in the UEFA Europa League during his time at Barcelona – where he amassed ten appearances in the UEFA Champions League as well.
Where do you think we can finish in the UEFA Europa League next season after victory in Leipzig? 🤔
If Nottingham Forest can reach the last four while in a relegation battle, surely we can at least make the final? 👀
Therefore, Mingueza’s experience could prove invaluable to those Crystal Palace players who have never experienced the UEFA Europa League before.
