Crystal Palace have now secured their first signing of the summer transfer window after striking a deal for Oscar Mingueza.
The Eagles were busy on Wednesday, announcing a new one-year contract for Daichi Kamada early on before Fabrizio Romano revealed in the evening that the Spain international had been signed by Crystal Palace in a “top secret” deal.
How are we feeling about this news, Crystal Palace fans? 🔴 🔵
Could be one of the most important deals we do this summer 🦅
Having never played his football outside of Spain, some Crystal Palace fans may not know much about Mingueza – so let’s take a look at what the defender could provide for Pierre Sage at Selhurst Park.
Crystal Palace land Swiss Army Knife for Pierre Sage in Oscar Mingueza
In terms of versatility, Matt Hobbs may have found the best possible option for Crystal Palace, and on a free transfer no less.
Mingueza has played in seven different positions throughout his career, mainly across the backline where he has featured heavily in each defensive area.
The Spaniard has made 28 appearances at left-back, 77 appearances as a right-back and also played 86 games as a central defender. Mingueza boasts experience of operating in central midfield too, as well as further forward on both flanks.
| Position | Games | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centre-Back | 86 | 2 | 7 |
| Right-Back | 77 | 3 | 7 |
| Right Midfield | 35 | 2 | 5 |
| Left-Back | 28 | 1 | 4 |
| Left Midfield | 9 | 1 | 1 |
| Central Midfield | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Right Winger | 1 | 0 | 0 |
At the age of just 27, the man born in Santa Perpetua de Mogoda is also arriving at Selhurst Park right in the midst of his prime years – on paper, this appears to be a superb signing by the UEFA Conference League winners.
Mingueza is also capable of making an impact in the final third. The 2024/25 campaign impressively saw him bag four goals and six assists across 34 games in La Liga – a return of ten goal involvements for a defender in a single season is some going.
Furthermore, Mingueza can boast plenty of experience in European football, making ten appearances in the UEFA Champions League with Barcelona, and playing 13 UEFA Europa League games as well.
Footage of the Barcelona academy graduate will also show Crystal Palace fans that he is an excellent technician on the ball – a player who is capable of swinging dangerous crosses into the box when playing out wide, or punching passes through the lines when operating centrally.
With Chelsea potentially taking Maxence Lacroix from SE25 this summer – and with Nathaniel Clyne departing – the arrival of Mingueza provides crucial depth in two defensive areas, and all on a free transfer as well.
It remains to be seen how the versatile defender settles in south London, but on paper at least, this is a truly fantastic signing by the Eagles.
🚨 NEW SIGNING ALERT 🚨
What do Palace need to do next after landing a new defender in Mingueza? 🇪🇸
- Full name: Oscar Mingueza Garcia
- Age: 27
- Date of birth: 13 May 1999
- Height: 1.84m (6ft)
- Nationality: Spanish
- Place of birth: Santa Perpetua de Mogoda
- Club: Crystal Palace (pending official confirmation)
- Position: Centre-back, right-back, left-back
