The Columbus Crew just made one of the biggest moves of the MLS summer transfer window.
On Thursday, the club announced it has signed Spanish midfielder Brais Méndez from Real Sociedad, adding the 29-year-old as a Designated Player. He’ll officially join the Black & Gold when the league’s secondary transfer window opens on July 13, pending the final paperwork for his international transfer and visa.
If you’re not familiar with Méndez yet, his résumé speaks for itself.
The Spanish midfielder spent the past four seasons with Real Sociedad in La Liga, one of the top soccer leagues in the world, where he scored 33 goals and recorded 24 assists in 166 appearances. During the 2022-23 season, he helped lead the club to the UEFA Champions League, scoring three goals in seven matches, including his first in a draw against Inter Milan.
Before joining Real Sociedad, Méndez came up through the youth system at Celta Vigo, where he made more than 160 first-team appearances. He’s also represented Spain at the international level, earning four senior caps after making his debut in 2018.
Crew General Manager Issa Tall said the club expects Méndez’s experience and technical ability to make an immediate impact.
“We are excited to add Brais to our team and welcome him to Columbus,” Tall said in a statement. “His high-level technical skillset and understanding of the game, displayed in one of the best leagues in the world, will have a positive impact on our roster.”
The signing continues the Crew’s recent trend of attracting players from some of Europe’s top leagues, a reflection of both the club’s growing reputation and Major League Soccer’s increasing ability to compete for international talent.
Méndez has signed a contract through the 2028-29 season, with a club option for an additional year.
Assuming everything is finalized on schedule, Crew fans won’t have to wait long to see him in action. He’ll become eligible to play after the transfer window opens on July 13, making him a potential addition for the club’s return from the international break later this month.
For a team with its sights set on another deep playoff run, adding a proven midfielder with experience in La Liga and the Champions League is a significant boost heading into the second half of the season.
