Brais Méndez Is Bringing La Liga Experience and a Champions League Résumé to Columbus
The 29-year-old Spaniard recorded 33 goals and 24 assists in 166 games for Real Sociedad and adds an experienced attacking option for Columbus.
- On Thursday, July 2, 2026, the Columbus Crew announced the signing of Spanish attacking midfielder Brais Mendez from La Liga club Real Sociedad on a designated player contract through the 2028-29 season.
- The addition comes three days after Crew forward Diego Rossi departed for Liga MX club Monterrey, leaving the team with two available designated player spots to fill.
- Mendez spent four seasons with Real Sociedad, recording 33 goals and 24 assists across 166 matches, having previously played for Celta and helped architect the club's Champions League qualification.
- Pending visa approval and a medical exam, Mendez is expected to debut when the Crew return from the World Cup break on July 22 against New York City FC, with Crew General Manager Issa Tall noting his technical skillset will impact the roster.
- Columbus secured the midfielder for six million euros, signaling the club's growing international profile; while not a household name to local fans, Mendez represents the type of player the organization can now attract.
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13 Articles
Brais Méndez is bringing La Liga experience and a Champions League résumé to Columbus
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Crew acquired Spanish midfielder Brais Méndez as a Designated Player from La Liga’s Real Sociedad on Thursday, the club announced.Méndez will join the Crew roster when the MLS secondary transfer window opens July 13, pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa. The 29-year-old signed a contract through the 2028-29 season with a club option for the 2029-30 campaign.
The Real Sociedad has confirmed its first movement of the summer signing market. The club has closed the transfer of the midfielder Brais Méndez to the Columbus Crew Soccer Club of the MLS. According to several media, the operation would be around 6 million euros. Through a statement on its website, the txuri-urdin group has announced the agreement:«The Real Society and the Columbus Crew Soccer Club have reached an agreement for the transfer of …
The Royal Society and the Columbus Crew Soccer Club have reached an agreement for the transfer of player Brais Méndez to the U.S. team for six million euros, in an agreement conditional on the player passing the medical examination and obtaining the work permit, reported Thursday the club donostiarra in a statement. Read more]]>
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