The Spanish defender has joined on a four-year deal from Celta Vigo, giving Pierre Sage a versatile back-line option without a transfer fee.
Crystal Palace have completed the signing of Spanish defender Oscar Mingueza on a free transfer from Celta Vigo, with the 27-year-old agreeing a four-year contract after the deal was finalized around July 8-9. The move turns Palace’s previously reported agreement into a confirmed signing and gives new head coach Pierre Sage a flexible defensive option who can also operate in midfield. Mingueza came through Barcelona’s La Masia academy and made 66 senior appearances for the club before joining Celta Vigo in 2022. He became a free agent when his contract expired at the end of June 2026. Palace reportedly wrapped up negotiations in about 48 hours, with Mingueza undergoing a medical before completion, despite interest from multiple clubs. The signing underlines the financial appeal of free transfers, where clubs avoid a transfer fee and instead direct spending toward wages, bonuses and agent costs.