'Here we go' - Crystal Palace to secure bargain second summer signing as ace undergoes medical

Oliver Glasner and Dougie Freedman are edging closer to securing their second signing of the 2024 transfer window. Barcelona centre-back and Morocco international Chadi Riad passed a medical and now Daichi Kamada is said to be undergoing tests of his own at Selhurst Park.

Glasner is said to ‘strongly’ want the Lazio forward who is available this summer on a free transfer and verbally agreed to join the Eagles last week. With the trio of Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta all picking up significant transfer interest this season - and Olise reportedly reaching a verbal agreement with Chelsea - Glasner will be desperately eyeing up how he can strengthen a club in pursuit of European football next campaign.

According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, Japanese international Kamada has completed the first part of his medical tests and confirmation of his London arrival will take place soon. Writing on X, the Italian journalist said: “Daichi Kamada already completed first part of medical tests as new Crystal Palace player. Two-year contract, set to be signed as Kamada will join Palace as free agent, strongly wanted by Oliver Glasner. Here we go, to be confirmed soon.”

Upon signing his two-year contract, Kamada could become the first Japanese player in Crystal Palace history. While Japanese stars have featured for the Eagles’ affiliate club Crystal Palace Baltimore, records suggest that no player from the country has yet featured in the Selhurst Park line-up.

Kamada previously worked under Glasner during the Austrian’s two-year stay at the Deutsche Bank Park. The 27-year-old himself left the club in 2023 as well, heading to Lazio where he has scored just two goals in 29 Serie A appearances. During the forward’s five year tenure at Frankfurt, the 27-year-old contributed 25 goals in 93 appearances as the German outfit won the UEFA Europa League in 2022, with Glasner beating Scottish Premiership side Rangers in the final.